Sun Country Flowers under new ownership

Sun Country Flowers in Shafter is now under new ownership. Carol Reichenbach, the owner of the shop for over 17 years, has decided that it is time to move on.

Enter Amanda Kirschenmann, who has been growing her own flowers for a few years now. Kirschenmann started her own business a couple of years ago, growing flowers and plants and selling them online and in different spots around town, including from a display at the Tin Cup Coffee Shop, Amanda's Flowers.

Kirschenmann no longer grows her own flowers, deciding to suspend the operation for a time. "I may grow some of my own flowers in the future, but it just makes financial sense right now to obtain the flowers and plants from a wholesaler."

The shop will still carry a wide variety of flowers and plants, just the way the residents of Shafter have grown accustomed to over the years.

Reichenbach will remain in the shop for a few weeks to help Kirschenmann settle in and help her learn the operational side of the business. "We are doing good, but it has been crazy this week. We have had five funerals this week, with three of them in one day," Kirschenmann said.

She said that she found a few years ago that she loved growing flowers and would like to be involved in the flower business. "I then thought how great it would be to have my own shop"

In addition to flowers, the shop also carries a variety of candles, home décor items, plants and wall décor. "We will have the same great variety of flowers and plants that people have come to love with Carol," said Kirschenmann.

In the near future, she plans to hold a grand opening and a ribbon cutting.

"It has just been so crazy right now that I can't even think about that right now."