On Friday, May 24, Regent Floral & Mercantile will open its doors.
Though it’s saving the big party for its grand opening celebration three or four weeks from now, the soft opening allows for customers a sneak peek at what the store is bringing to downtown Bay City.
Located in the lobby of the historic Regent Theater, Regent Floral & Mercantile sells fresh-cut flowers, houseplants, handmade gifts, and original art.
This is founder and owner Brandon Strong’s third business in Bay City. He also owns Event Masters Limited and The Great Lakes Market.
"Bay City is very supportive of young entrepreneurs. Everyone is always asking how they can help," Strong says.
"People say it’s an up-and-coming town but it could already be there."
Strong stresses that his flower shop will be more in the European style, where the flowers are displayed on the shop floor and not in coolers or behind glass. Strong wants customers to be able to smell and touch the flowers, and not just see them.
A rotating selection of handmade gifts and goods will feature makers from all over the country as well as those from Michigan.
Strong plans on offering the store up as a private events space. Also in the works is a subscription service where Regent delivers flowers not to the intended recipient, but to the person ordering the flowers. That way the person can present the flowers themselves.
"When the Regent Theater first opened, Bay City was an entertainment town with several theaters," Strong says.
"I think we’re starting to go back to being an entertainment town and shopping is nothing more than entertainment."
Regent Floral & Mercantile is located at 924 Washington Ave. in downtown Bay City.
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