Flowers by Alexes at 851 Upshur Street NW, corner of 9th and Upshur Streets

by Cesse Ip

Flower shops are a part of Alexes Haggins’ family. Her father, Bernard Haggins, worked as a delivery driver in the 1960s at Colony Florist in the neighborhood, and took it over after the original owner retired. He moved the flower shop to 804 Upshur Street and changed the name to Flowers by Alexes, in honor of the birth of his daughter. After Bernard passed away, Alexes tried to keep up the business, but unfortunately had to close the doors in 2003.

A photo of Alexes’ father, Bernard Haggins, sits in the shop.

After 20 years, Alexes Haggins re-opened her family’s legacy business flower shop, Flowers by Alexes, at 851 Upshur Street, just up the street from the original location. For the past year she has been supplying the neighborhood with flowers and bouquets, but just last month she was able to open up her shop to the public.

Inside you will find a fresh flower stand, premade bouquets and assorted stems such as roses, hydrangeas, fresh lavender, eucalyptus and others. Alexes said she plans to have classes like “Build a Bouquet,” “How to Make a Centerpiece,” and “DIY Dishgarden.”