Celebrating 119 Years: Growing Bates Flowers by Design

Back in 2015, an unlikely duo probably designed your loved ones’ bouquets, destined for weddings, anniversaries, funerals, and birthdays. Jim White and Cynthia Sherman were your locally dedicated florists who decided to merge their existing flower shops into a current standing powerhouse: Bates Flowers by Design.

Enter Stephanie Latimer. She came into the business with the same desire to learn, the same love for flowers and design, and a quirky twist to the store’s offerings and storefront. With the help of mentors and previous owners, White and Sherman, Latimer is celebrating the anniversary of the store’s merger and its 119th birthday! “Why not celebrate with a Chamber Ambassador visit?” smiles Latimer.

Her store still honors the dedication and hard work of her predecessors, but she wasn’t afraid to give it a twist with a few signature touches! When you walk into the store, you can now hear some catchy lo-fi and classical tunes. “There are people who are dedicated to learning what music makes plants happy,” explains Latimer. “So I play music for the plants in the store. Also, it’s fun to watch people dance to it while they shop, nodding their heads.”

The neon signs around the store are also Latimer’s touch, as well as the striped tent above her storefront. The stripes have even become part of the shop’s branding, appearing on gift bags and wrapping paper.

With COVID changing how consumers shop, Latimer put a plan into place. She redesigned the Bates Flowers by Design website with a live inventory system and expanded her store offerings to match consumers’ needs. “The platform we have now is so great and is accurate in real time,” says Latimer. “Once something sells out, it disappears from our website.”

Noticing a rise in green thumbs post-COVID, she increased her selection of live greenery and pots. “I mean, it’s hard to look at your family all the time — especially during that time — and not go a little nuts,” laughs Latimer. “So instead you look at your plants!”

Alongside her floral and plant collection, Latimer has also added a wider array of balloons, greeting cards, and fun apparel.

But how does Latimer keep her products high-quality while keeping prices affordable? She attributes the store’s continued success to the connections she has made through her floral training, including with her two mentors, White and Sherman.

“Jim and Cynthia went to floral school, and I did the same thing,” says Latimer. “People make an assumption that perhaps this makes the cost of goods increase, but the connections you make in those spaces keep your industry going — you make connections with suppliers and build a great foundation with people.”

Latimer’s flower arrangements are always thoughtfully designed — but she has made it so much more. She and her husband, Ben Latimer (her self-described trophy husband), take any chance to support the community, from supporting the local school district to even offering their DJ services. “You have to really love and care about this business,” says Latimer, “You can’t just see dollar signs.”

Through today’s transition into Bates Flowers by Design, Latimer still looks to Sherman and White as knowledgeable entrepreneurs. “We all get along great, and I can call them up for anything,” shares Latimer. “They are both mentors and friends.” If you are interested in visiting her store or purchasing flowers, visit Bates Flowers by Design on 813 4th Ave in Grinnell from 10 AM-2 PM on Mondays, 9 AM-5 PM Tuesdays through Fridays, and 9 AM-12 PM on Saturdays. If you are not in Grinnell, visit her website, batesflowersbydesign.com! And if you have any ideas of what would be a good fit for new products in Bates, contact the store!

Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:

• Nikki Armstead — Grinnell Chamber
• Donna Fischer — UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center
• Monica St. Angelo — Grinnell Area Arts Council
• Becky Broadston — Comfort Inn & Suites
• Ashley Sorensen — Volunteer Iowa
• Fran Conn
• Evan Petig — The Grinnellian
• Rachel Arseneault — Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate
• Kent Reed — American Brawn Charity
• Homer Jones — American Brawn Charity
• Ben Latimer — Latitude Signage + Design and Bates Flowers by Design
• Dan McCue — McCue & Associates LLC - American Family Insurance
• Nicolle Donnelly — Poweshiek Insurance Agency
• Cynthia Sherman
• Jim White
• Sarah Smith — Grinnell College & Grinnell College Community Connections
• Trent Arment — MCG - Mahaska Communication Group
• Yesenia Mozo — Grinnell Chamber
• Cassie Wherry — Pioneer Bookshop, Grinnell College
• Not pictured:
• Ryan Beckman — Beckman Gallery & Gifts
• Phil Grout — Hy-Vee