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Woman turns over new leaf with local floral shop
RANDOLPH – Katie Hammond is putting down fresh roots and blossoming as an entrepreneur with her new shop, Hometown Floral.
Hammond said she’s held various jobs over the years in childcare and banking but has always had a passion for flowers and crafts - getting her first taste of both being active in 4-H as a child.
“My mom used to work at a flower shop years ago so I have gotten some experience from her,” she said. “Other than that, I have done a lot of self taught. I also had some friends that own flower shops that have given me good advice.”
The floral shop can customize an arrangement for any occasion - wedding, confirmation, birthday, bridal shower, baby shower, school event, dance recital, funeral and others.
Hometown Floral delivers in Randolph and to surrounding towns. Orders can be placed in person at the shop at 202 W. Broadway Ave., by phone, or online at www.hometownfloralne.com.
The shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.
Along with flowers and plants, the business also offers gift items for sale.
Rural Roots Boutique has moved into the space with its clothing, earrings, hats, keychains and signs. Ravenhare Botanicals offers goat milk soap, body butter, face serum, lotion bars, beard oil and other products. Amber Leigh’s Creations include all sorts of crocheted items. There’s also honey available from CBees; and other knitted items, memorial stones and crosses for sale. “It is a good variety of things and it’s nice to have a location with many options,” Katie said. Katie owns the business with her husband, Houston, who is originally from Randolph, while Katie hails from Norfolk.
The couple have been married for almost three years and also farm, raising corn, alfalfa and a cow-calf herd.
When she’s not busy at the shop or on the farm, Katie likes to sew, bake and work on puzzles.
