The Little Flower Bar opens in Amenia, offering blooms and gifts

AMENIA — Creativity and enthusiasm are flourishing at The Little Flower Bar, which recently opened in Amenia and is now serving fresh floral arrangements alongside an array of gifts.

Owner Kelly Deneen keeps the flower bar stocked with seasonal, locally sourced blooms that can be arranged on site as grab-and-go bouquets or purchased as individual stems. A wide selection of gifts complements the floral offerings, making the shop a destination.

Since its soft opening Saturday, Nov. 29, at the 8 Old North Road plaza, Deneen said business has been steady, with a strong showing during the holiday season.

“It’s going to evolve,” Deneen said of the young enterprise.

The flower bar includes a wheeled, multi-shelf display of fresh-cut flowers. Deneen said the portable setup can be brought to hospitals, businesses or private events, where people can select individual stems to create their own arrangements or purchase flowers to go, making it an interactive and visually engaging feature.

A thriving new business in town, The Little Flower Bar created a fresh floral arrangement on the spot for Walter Irvine of Millbrook on Thursday, Jan. 8. Owner Kelly Deneen paused for a photo with the satisfied customer.Photo by Leila Hawken

Adding to the shop’s charm is a curated selection of affordable gifts, ranging from photo frames and wine glasses to themed trays for milestone occasions, as well as items for sports fans and holidays.

“Valentine’s Day is coming up next,” Deneen noted.

Flowers are offered by the stem, and arrangements can either be made for customers or created by customers themselves. Flower selections change weekly based on the season and availability from local gardens. During the winter months, flowers are sourced from area wholesalers.

“Carnations will always be on the bar,” Deneen said, “because most importantly they were my grandmother’s favorite, but also for their quiet beauty and long-lasting charm.”

Deneen grew up in Millerton and purchased her grandmother’s home following her death in 2021. Her grandmother had lived there since 1962, and her grandfather grew up on Belgo Road.

Before opening The Little Flower Bar, Deneen spent her career in the auto racing industry.

“I worked in the car racing industry my entire adult life. I started right here at Skip Barber Racing School when I was 21. In 2013, I moved to Indianapolis to work for Andretti Autosport. I spent the next 12 years in the IndyCar paddock,” summarizing her connections to the auto racing world and her experience in large-scale event planning.

A seasonal selection of fresh flowers will be offered at The Little Flower Bar, a new business at 8 Old North Road in Amenia combining creativity and small-town affordability to customers. Owner Kelly Deneen is poised to assist customers with arrangements to go, a varied selection of gifts, and event planning.Photo by Leila Hawken

Five years ago, she started working from home in Millerton, traveling to the races. That was when she nourished her love for flowers, purchasing flowers just to play with arranging.

“We have the best flower farmers right here in the Northwest Corner,” Deneen said.

“Every flower has a personality that can speak for you when words fall short,” Deneen said.

“This is so lovely, and that’s a man saying that,” said customer Walter Irvine of Millbrook on Thursday, Jan. 8, as he stopped in for a made-to-order custom floral arrangement. Irvine recalled that he and Deneen have known each other since the 1960s, having a common interest in the auto racing industry.