St’artUp 317 is a competitive program that aims to match young brands, established businesses wanting to test a new market, startups and artists, with vacant and under-utilized first floor commercial space in downtown neighborhoods to create pop-up stores. Inspired by similar initiatives across the country St’artUp 317 is being coordinated by Downtown Indy, Inc in partnership with PATTERN in order to incubate viable retail businesses and long-term tenants, while supporting the creative class and improving the cultural profile of our city. The long-term goal of the program is to eliminate empty storefronts, increase local and visitor consumer spending and ensure that the Downtown neighborhoods continue thriving.
This series of stories highlights artists, entrepreneurs and businesses that were selected to participate in the pilot of St’ArtUp 317.
Written by Jacqueline Eckhardt, Community Engagement Manager, Downtown Indy, Inc.
Within a few minutes of meeting Amy Beausir, you feel grounded, inspired and most importantly, connected.
Beausir is the owner of Molly and Myrtle, a company focused on garden-inspired wedding and event design with local flowers, artisan green foliage and curated antiques. Molly and Myrtle is on display as part of St’ART Up 317, a Downtown Indy, Inc. and Pattern initiative focused on activating vacant windows and retail space around Downtown Indianapolis. Indianapolis residents and visitors can catch her work in the Carson’s windows at Circle Centre Mall located directly off Meridian Street.
“Flowers have been a part of my whole life,” said Beausir.
The seeds for Beausir’s career in floral design were planted at an early age. Before dinner, her mother always asked her to head out to the garden and cut a few flowers for the dinner table. At the age of 16, she found her first job working for her hometown flower shop, designing what else, but the shop’s window display. Talk about connected.
Beausir graduated college and went on to work in marketing and business in Downtown Indianapolis. After children, she found herself returning to her roots and pulling together bouquets of flowers for simple gifts for friends and family. In her free time, Beausir began refurbishing old furniture, crafting more than 500 antique chairs. She was nudged by a friend to start selling at local Farmers’ Markets – and there Molly & Myrtle blossomed.
Beausir smiled softly as she detailed the start of her wedding and event design business – the perfect combination of flowers and curated antiques.
“I grow most of my flowers in my backyard – about 60 different things,” Beausir said.
There are so many unique qualities about Beausir and her business, but what might make her the most special is her way of making those around immediately feel the passion and joy that comes with receiving a flower.
“I give a seed packet of my bride’s favorite flower in her bouquet to all my brides,” Beausir said. “But what is most special is when I get a call from a groom on an anniversary to remake her bouquet.”
Beausir’s brides are delighted with the experience she provides. One of Beausir’s favorite brides even offered to volunteer and put bouquets together before events for her – which anyone sitting across from Beausir would feel compelled to do. It’s the power of feeling connected.
Beausir did 50 weddings last year, and is on track for a similar pace this year. But one day she sees her career expanding.
“I hope to write a book on flowers or on grandparents. I love the special connection between grandchildren and their grandparents.”
In fact, Beausir’s connection is so extraordinary – it’s who she named her business after. Her grandmother, Myrtle, was the youngest of 10 and adored peonies.
But for now, business is blooming and Beausir is excited about the possibilities.
“Downtown Indy has been a gift to me, so it is so cool to be able to circle back here,” said Beausir. “Everything is changing so much. I love the opportunities being awarded to small businesses.”
You too can meet Beausir on Friday, May 18 at the St’ART Up 317 Open House from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. And with one flower, you’ll forever be connected.
