Almost 30 years ago, Carlene Wells left her corporate career to pursue “something different,” she said. Her next step followed about a year later when she saw a “for sale” sign on a Pflugerville flower shop. With her mother’s help, Wells said she opened Bloomin’ Across Texas in 1992 as a full-service florist for special occasions, sympathy, gift items and more. Eleven years later, Wells opened a second location in Cedar Park. The business is first and foremost a family affair, Wells said. Her sons have worked at the shop, and when Wells’ father faced a serious illness, Bloomin’ Across Texas became a comfortable gathering location for the family to care for him, she said. Over the decades, Wells said Bloomin’ Across Texas has impacted the lives of other local families as well. Some of the shop’s first flowers decorated a wedding. Flowers followed to celebrate the birth of the couple’s children, and later their proms and weddings. “We’ve kind of been a part of those [milestones for families] several steps along the way,” Wells said. Despite increases in chain florists and online delivery services, Wells said Bloomin’ Across Texas has managed to keep a steady flow of customers. “I think people have come to realize the [level of] customer service you’re getting with us,” Wells said. “They’re realizing [chain florists] may cost less money, but it’s not being arranged by a professional florist or designer.” Flowers from Bloomin’ Across Texas continue to make their way around the Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Hutto, Cedar Park and Leander areas. She said the shop’s current clientele includes local churches and families with loved ones buried at the nearby cemetery. “We really try to go the extra mile to help people get what they want,” Wells said. Bloomin’ Across Texas 15307 Pecan St., Ste.5, Pflugerville 512-251-2268 www.bloominacrosstexas.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., closed Sun.