About B/A Florist of East Lansing, MI
Why Us?
B/A Florist has been a proud staple of the mid-Michigan community since 1979. When you step through our doors, you'll be whisked away to a refreshing oasis where you'll be surrounded by flowers and greenery -- regardless of the season. At B/A Florist, we use only the highest quality flowers and plants to bring your vision into reality. From small and simple to grand and glorious, we want to help you find the best way to show the people you love how you feel. Customer service is at the heart of what we do, and we are dedicated to providing exemplary service to each and every person who walks through our doors or enters our website. We are more than just a flower shop. We're a family that is passionate about helping you celebrate life!
Our History
Barbara Ann Hollowick, aka BA, always had a love of plants and flowers and was great at growing them. She knew early on that she wanted her own store. "Ever since I was a child," she remembers, "I thought that I someday I'd have a plant store." Then in 1979, B/A Florist opened in Okemos. B/A Florist started with the intent to be a plant store, but when we added a cooler for fresh cut flowers and floral arrangements it blossomed into the heart of B/A. In 1984 the store relocated to the iconic house on the corner of Grand River Avenue and Hagadorn Road.
In 2012, Barbara Ann retired and her middle child, Laurie Van Ark, took over the shop. Laurie started working at B/A part-time in high school, then full-time after she graduated from MSU in 1984 (Go Green!). She continued to study at the Master Design School of the American Floral Services headquarters in Oklahoma with designers from around the world.
In 2023, Laurie retired and sold B/A to Sarah and Matt Soltis. Sarah started in the floral industry in 1999 as a student at the Jackson Area Career Center, enrolled in the Floral/ Agriculture Science program. Sarah got her first job through the program at a flower shop in Jackson, MI. With the help of the JACC, she became a Michigan Certified Florist through the Great Lakes Floral Association, becoming the first certified florist in Jackson County. She has since worked at 4 shops through the years before settling in at B/A. She brings her knowledge and expertise to combine with the foundation built by Barbra Ann and Laurie to provide the best product and service to the community.
