By Kate Bartlett
Wildroot Floral, located at 1250 Niagara Street in Buffalo, has been creating thoughtfully designed luxurious florals for the everyday for just under 6 years. Offering an immersive floral experience, Wildroot included a full boutique along with luxurious floral arrangements to make any day special.
Owner and founder Kayla Gaczewski is proud to be part of the resurgence on Niagara Street in her hometown of Buffalo. Born and raised in Lancaster, Kayla appreciates her roots, and always knew she wanted to own a small business there. After graduating the University of Buffalo School of Management, Kayla lived in Boston, MA and Austin, TX for several years to gain life experiences and learn about businesses in other cities. “I always knew I’d boomerang back to Buffalo,” says Kayla. “I set out to learn what I could to return to my home city and open a business here.”
Kayla has always had an appreciation for flowers, instilled by her mother and grandmother, who is of German descent. “I inherited an appreciation of flowers from my grandmother. In Germany, and other countries, flowers are immersive and experiential. Flowers are everywhere in boutiques and markets along the streets; I wanted to bring some of that immersive floral experience home to Buffalo.”
buildings into new shops and boutiques. Upon moving back to Buffalo to open her shop, she began searching for potential properties that< could be renovated and repurposed. She saw the opportunity in the budding Niagara Street neighborhood, and opened Wildroot in her
current building, an old engine factory, which has been beautifully
While in Austin, Kayla appreciated the concept of refurbishing old factory and industrial buildings into new shops and boutiques. Upon moving back to Buffalo to open her shop, she began searching for potential properties that could be renovated and repurposed. She saw the opportunity in the budding Niagara Street neighborhood, and opened Wildroot in her current building, an old engine factory, which has been beautifully renovated into a fresh, modern, boutique floral shop.
In 2019, Kayla opened the doors to Wildroot. The shop is immersive, in that there are flowers everywhere in the boutique gift shop. Nearly everything in the store is sourced from small makers, small businesses and artisans. The florists work out in the shop, making beautiful, luxurious floral creations for shoppers to see, and be a part of. “I wanted the customers to feel a part of the experience,” says Kayla. “It’s a beautiful process, and we didn’t want to hide anything behind the scenes.”
The shop is ever changing with the seasons, both the inventory and flowers. “It’s different each and every time customers visit,” explains Kayla. “We embrace the beauty of the seasons; it’s always changing and ever moving.” Wildroot supports local growers as they source 98% of their flowers locally from May-November.
The name Wildroot speaks to Kayla’s aspirations to bring the knowledge, style and design passion learned during her ‘wild’ years across the US back to her ‘roots’ here in Buffalo. Wildroot also has historic meaning to Buffalo, as Wildroot Hair Tonic operated in Buffalo for 50 years, providing pros-perity and opportunity as a manufacturer. Founded in 1911, Wildroot thrived in the city during the height of Buffalo’s population growth, and continues to serve the city through a non-profit under the name WNY Foundation.
Kayla is proud to be a part of the resurgence in the Niagara Street community. “We are a tight-knit, supportive community, and it’s been incredible being a part of it. Many small businesses on Niagara are minority and female owned, which I’m also incredibly proud of. Not only have my fellow business-owners been supportive, but the customers and community have warmly embraced the shop.” Having started just before the Covid Pandemic in 2019, Kayla is grateful for the community for supporting her shop. “Not only did we survive, but we are thriving, and I’m so thankful for the support during Covid, and everyday after.”
Wildroot is available not only for weddings and events, but also daily deliveries such as date nights, birthdays, apologies and just the everyday ‘I’m thinking of you’ sentiment. “While we love weddings and corporate events, the daily deliveries are our bread and butter. We strive to bring wedding level, luxurious flowers to people’s kitchen tables, making the everyday something special. It’s our passion and we love sharing it with others, brightening the every day.”
Wildroot also offers floral subscriptions and classes. “Our subscriptions make a wonderful gift. It’s a great way to break up the long winter months. We enjoy helping people bring the outdoors inside during every season.” Classes are held at various locations on Niagara Street and elsewhere in Buffalo, and offer a laid back, fun way to experience floral design. Guests typically receive a beverage and/or snacks included with their ticket while designing arrangements to take home.
Kayla’s favorite thing about her job is the people. “I wholeheartedly enjoy working in this community and with such an amazing team. Not only am I blessed with such an amazing team of coworkers, but our customers and fellow business owners are incredible, and I’m thankful for them every day. It’s humbling to be part of people’s special occasions and milestone events. Flowers can be an emotional event, and we don’t take that lightly.”
For more information visit wildroot-floral.com and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration and updates, email info@wildroot-floral.com or call (716) 248-1351. They are located at 1250 Niagara Street in Buffalo, NY.