January 2016 Honoree
Shannon Cody
Owner of Michael’s Floral Design
2910 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore NY 14217
716-322-6810, Fax 716-322-776
michaelsfloraldesign.com
facebook.com/michaelsfloraldesign
[email protected]
Twenty-seven-year-old Shannon Cody’s renewal of a former Delaware Avenue florist’s shop has transformed Michael’s Floral Design into a charming boutique that has become a great addition to the small-town atmosphere in Kenmore.
Since opening in June 2015, Kenmore native Shannon has created a welcoming floral shop right in the heart of the Village of Kenmore. It’s all hometown for Michael’s Floral Design, from corsages for proms and arrangements for high school graduations to bouquets for the recitals at a dance studio just down the street. In addition to fresh-cut flowers and floral arrangements, she carries unique Buffalo gifts created by local artists and artisans. “People just want to show their support of everything Buffalo,” says Shannon. “And I think it’s really important to support local businesses, artisans, and designers.”
Shannon began working for Kenmore florist, Michael Murray, as a 16-year-old high school student and continued working at the store while attending Medaille College. She had always been an animal advocate and originally planned to work as a vet tech after graduating with a B.S. in veterinary technology and biology. Once she learned of Michael’s plans to retire, however, she decided to pursue her love of all things floral and reopened the shop as Michael’s Floral Design.
Father, Tim, and mom, Diane, are making this a family affair, too. Tim Cody works full time as a deliveryman and Diane stops by the shop to help out (and for her weekly “flower allowance” which graces the family dining room table).
Shannon is a member of the Kenmore Merchants Association and donates, at-cost, flowers, carnations, and floral arrangements for the fundraising efforts of the local Lions Club, Zonta, and the Kenmore Volunteer Fire Department. As a teenager, she volunteered at the SPCA and Shannon still follows through with her devotion to animals, selling candy bars at her shop for the Educate-A-Bull dog rescue organization.