South Lake Tahoe florist changes hands

The Enchanted Florist in South Lake Tahoe now has a new owner, long time local Karen Estes.

Owners Jeri and Noboru Oishi owned the popular flower shop on Emerald Bay Road for 16 years and handed over the keys to Estes on February 1, 2018.

"I love anything flowers," said Estes who had operated an online and corner market, Karen's Flower Stand.

With over 800 roses headed to Enchanted Florist for Valentine's Day, Karen said she's keeping the operations status quo to get through one of the busiest days for florists. Once the holiday is over she'll start work on the website, phone systems and adding a new retail segment to the business.

She'll also be redecorating in a farmstand/shabby chic theme, adding potted plants, jewelry and succulents. The whole will also have the theme of "love, friendship and happiness."

Other new features for Enchanted Florist in the future will be craft days. Karen's grandmother had crafts every Thursday at her home and she'd like to share that tradition with others.

Estes moved to South Lake Tahoe from Placerville in 1985 and worked at Sierra Ski Ranch in the winters and Caesars Tahoe during summers. It was during that stint at Caesars where she met singer Kenny Loggins and left town for five years and went on the road as his assistant/road manager. In 1996 she moved to San Diego where she was the personal assistant to a CEO.

In 2002, Estes moved back to South Lake Tahoe and started a wedding business, Simple Tahoe Weddings, a perfect bridge to the flower industry. Karen will bring in her wedding arches and other supplies for the Tahoe bride.

Stop by and say hi to Karen Monday through Saturday. She is located at 1079 Emerald Bay Road, right next to Goodwill. For more information: http://www.laketahoeenchantedflorist.com/ or call 530.544.6840.