Friends and family came together on Friday to celebrate the Grand Opening and Customer Appreciation Day at Lazy Daisy Flowers and Gifts.

That morning, owner Shelly Oakes-Wike cut a ribbon, symbolizing the establishment of the store’s new location, as friends cheered. Afterward, guests enjoyed refreshments and the 20 percent off sale.

The Keysville flower shop, now at 244 King St., has moved into a larger location, just down the street from its previous storefront.

Oakes-Wike said they moved into the new store building, a large historic house, during June.

They moved within 21 days, she said. “We never closed the other store.” She said she would work in the original store location during the day and set up the new location in the evenings. “It was very quick,” Oakes-Wike said.

“Everyone’s happy that the house was bought,” said Susan Shoplocke, a friend of Oakes-Wike.

She has been making flower arrangements since she got a job working at the Keysville Flower Shop, which is now a Subway. She worked there for 13 years before starting Lazy Daisy.

“It’s just something I’ve always liked to do,” Oakes-Wike said. “I didn’t go to design school or anything like that. It’s God’s gift.”

“I can’t draw, I can’t paint, but I can design flowers,” said Oakes-Wike.

Her store has been open since Feb. 1, 2011. She started looking to change locations because she didn’t have enough space, Wike said.

Wike said that her friends encouraged her to buy the house when it came up for sale. “They pushed every step of the way.”

The house was on the market less than a year before Oakes-Wike bought it.

The extra space will allow Oakes-Wike to expand the stock and service of the store, she said. There are many handmade local items for sale in the store, as well as a large variety of flower arrangements and wreaths.

“We have lots of local stuff,” Oakes-Wike said proudly. The store sells honey, homemade soy candles, Keysville Knits and Sweet Owl products. In the winter, Shoplocke said, the store will sell hand knitted scarves.

Oakes-Wike said, “Everybody likes their own niche (for) what they do. I’m all about supporting my local community and keeping our money in the local community.”

Oakes-Wike does this not only by providing a variety of locally produced items, but also by providing store guests with personalized service and a welcoming atmosphere. During the opening day, guests chatted with one another while Oakes-Wike helped prepare arrangements and take orders.

To learn more about Oakes-Wike’s store, visit www.lazydaisyflowers.com or visit the store on King Street.