Flower shop emphasizes build-your-own bouquet

The owners of a flower and gift shop in downtown Long Grove created a business with an "Old World" feel.

The European Flower & Gift Market at 144 Old McHenry Road features galvanized buckets filled with fresh cut flowers.

"We want people to come in and create their own bouquets. It's the customized part of it that makes us unique," said owner Anthony Eppolito, who runs the shop with his wife Barbara.

Nearly 25 of the stainless steel bins feature a variety of flowers, including roses from Ecuador, calla lilies, star gazers, birds of paradise and hydrangeas.

"The hydrangeas are as big as melons," said Anthony, 58.

About half the store features flowers while the other half contains upscale and "moderately-priced" gifts, Anthony said. The gifts, including pottery and figurines, are from all over Europe, according to the business owners.

Barbara, who has been in the flower design business for 20 years, has always wanted to open her own shop. She worked in wholesale and then worked from her home studio in Algonquin for years.

Barbara creates displays for any occasion. She is an expert in exotic and tropical floral designs.

The Fairy Garden operated at the store site in historic Long Grove before the Eppolitos took over.

Before launching the business, Anthony Eppolito, who has a degree in psychology, ran his own psychotherapy practice in Elgin for 12 years where he mainly worked with ex-convicts.

"I like the flowers better. They don't talk back," he said with a laugh.

He added that he sold his business and his motorcycle to make the dream of his wife of six years come true.

The business is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

For more, call (847) 478-1244.

Kim Mikus covers small business and retail. She welcomes comments at (847) 427-4567 or kmikus@dailyherald.com.