KDH loves our contributing floral expert Erin Meaney, owner of Topiaire floral boutique in Southampton. When you walk into Topiaire, it feels as though you have wandered into a secret garden! Erin’s intention is for customers “to feel transferred through smell and sound.”  

With hundreds of floral varieties to choose from every day, this gem of a shop is part of the DNA of the Jobs Lane retail scene. Erin’s family has lived in the Hamptons for generations, and her dad was best known as Mayor Bill Hattrick for many years!  She grew up on Hill Street and has been married for 17 years and has 4 children ranging from 16-3 years old.

KDHamptons:  Southampton is such a fantastic place to have a flower boutique with the constant demand for flowers,  Did you ever think you could have such success with only 500 square feet?

Erin Meaney:  I have been here for 20 years here. Topiaire was a dream of mine, I always wanted to own a small floral boutique, and I was lucky that it just took off immediately.

KDH: What price do the arrangements start at?

EM: The flowers start at $40 minimum and $8 for delivery

KDH:  On average, how many flowers do you typically sell?   

EM:  Thousands a week! In addition to selling arrangements, orchids, and topiairies, we also have private clients who have their homes filled with flowers on a weekly basis. A lot of times the home owner goes home Sunday night and the flowers get thrown out. We pick up vases, prepare fresh new arrangements in the shop, and bring them all back!  We also work on arrangements for  a lot of private dinner parties. A Southampton hostess usually likes to have bragging rights for who did their flowers. Summer Dutch hydrangea are my number one request, usually in Nikko Blue.       

KDH: A lot of Hamptons brides hire you for wedding flowers, what is the average amount spent on floral arrangements for weddings out here?  

EM:  Most brides spends 3-6 K on their weddings, but at Topiaire we work within their budgets. I don’t like the idea of pricing a bride out~ we work within her budget.

KDH:  You have so many collectibles and little antiquities sprinkle throughout the store. Can you suggest a few hostess gifts between $20-40?

EM:   The baby orchids and miniature mosses are always a big hit, as well as our candles, soaps, and lotions.

KDH:  Receiving beautiful flowers lets a woman know you love her…what was the most romantic story a client has asked you to help with ?

EM:   A gentlemen with good taste knows that flowers are the way to a woman’s heart~ it’s like honey to a bee!  We had an adorable groom who wanted to surprise his girlfriend with a wedding proposal. He drove her out on a Friday to propose at his beachfront estate at the end of the bay in Southampton. We strung garlands of lemon leaves and placed small floral arrangements of peonies and roses along the dock. She said yes!

KDH:  Are there any rules you have learned to follow?       

EM:   I have learned that I am a part time psychiatrist and keeper of some big secrets! Never say to a wife of a client, “Did you enjoy your flowers,” because you can’t be sure they were for her!

KDH:  What are the top three reasons people buy flowers?

EM:  For themselves, for a loved one, and forgiveness. Sometimes I love to deliver the flowers in person so I can see the reaction on people’s faces.

KDH:  Ok give us some fun facts. How many flowers do you order monthly?

EM:  On a monthly basis, we order approx 3000 roses, pinks, yellow, every color; 1000 hydrangea stems, and about 800 orchids

KDH:  What is your favorite flower?     

EM:  Lilacs are absolutely my favorite flower. They only have a 3 week window;  I have a little old man named Joe that I work with to buy lilac. I have no idea where his farm is. I just know he comes every Mother’s Day!

*Topiaire is located at 51 Jobs Lane, Southampton; 631.287.3800