By Mike Steely

steelym@knoxfocus.com

“We take it personally, just like the flowers were coming from us,” says Emily Campen.

She and her sister, Mary Beth Cary-Reagan, own three florist’s shops in the Knoxville area and take a personal approach in preparing flower arrangements for you.

Betty’s Florist, at 8205 Chapman Highway, has more than 30 years serving the South Knox County, Seymour and parts of Sevier County. The Flower Pot has two locations: 700 South Gay Street and 2314 North Broadway. All three floral shops cater to customers and specialize in thoughtfully handcrafted, fresh-cut flower arrangements, custom gift baskets and indoor or outdoor plants.

“We have people of all types ordering by the internet, telephone, or dropping by,” Campen told The Focus, adding, “We do local, out of state and even international orders.”

Betty’s Florist and The Flower Pot are rated among the top one hundred shops in the Teleflora Network, the international organization of local florists that hand arrange and deliver orders.

“We love personal orders, and deliver all over Knox County every day,” she says. The nine employees include Emily’s mother, Sarah Dugger, who helps out. Emily says, when needed, she will pull her husband, City Councilman Mark Campen, in to help deliver flowers.

Betty’s Florist and The Flower Pot handle individual orders as well as special events like weddings, funerals, and corporate functions. The most unusual orders Campen says she’s received include flower arrangements made to look like flip-flops and another arrangement that included faux corn dogs in a silk flower arrangement for a funeral.

The shops are open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. You can contact the stores at one convenient telephone number: 800-824-7792. You can also find the shops on the internet at bettysknoxflowers.com or knoxvilleflowerpot.com.

“Everyone has people they care about and we provide special attention to each customer order,” Campen said.