Longtime florist strikes out on her own

It didn't take long for Kelly Harris to decide her next path when she lost her job back in May.

Harris, 41, had been the florist at Scolari's on Highway 50 for years. In late 2009, after the grocery store was rebranded into a Sak 'n Save, the floral department was closed and Harris continued to work there as a checker until the grocery store closed for good in May.

Today, Harris is continuing her passion for floral arrangements inside her new Carson City business, Floral Creations.

"This is something I've wanted to do for a long time," Harris said. "I grew up being an artist."

Harris opened the business in Telegraph Square a couple of days after Thanksgiving after spending the summer planning for the new venture.

And so far so good.

"All my customers really liked me at Scolari's, they're all starting to find me out," said Harris, a Carson City native.

Harris got her start at the Greenhouse Garden Center and eventually found work at Rhonda's Floral Gallery, which is no longer in business. But it was there she learned how to create floral arrangements.

She does all types of floral arrangements, too, including weddings.

"I'm real good at weddings," she said.

Now that Christmas is over Harris is getting ready for Valentine's Day. She also plans on staging a grand opening on Jan. 14, which will include music and raffle prizes.