Page 4 - The Buzz 04/17/2026

A4 | LOCAL NEWS The APRIL 17 - 30, 2026
Balloons + Blooms makes relocation to Colony Square

Mall official with ribbon cutting ceremony

BY LYNETTE DOTSON | THE BUZZ

Dawn Haren, owner of Balloons + Blooms pictured with her son Corbin and husband Brian. Entrance to Balloons + Blooms located in the Colony Square Mall. Lynette Dotson
Lynette Dotson
Balloons + Blooms has been help- “Now that I have a physical space, And I just love working with her for dif- ties celebrating special milestones
ing to celebrate ribbon cuttings at the I’m really excited because I can have ferent things. I feel the floral side and like graduation, a baby shower, or a
mall for quite some time by lending the community come in. And like this the blooms are just gorgeous, very birthday are always requested.
their talents to create balloon towers Friday, I’m doing a workshop with 12 unique, really set an event apart and For prom the shop will be open
and archways to add to the excite- ladies, and we’re going to make an make it really special. They provide certain days for girls to come in and
ment. On April 6, 2026 it was their turn arrangement. And I can have little the centerpiece for a backdrop where make their own bouquet using fresh
to be celebrated flowers, and then
with balloons and for the week of
a ribbon cutting Mother’s Day,
held by the Zanes- preorders will be
ville-Muskingum accepted for dif-
County Chamber ferent arrange-
of Commerce. ments.
Owner, florist, “I plan to have
and balloon art- special arrange-
ist Dawn Haren ments made up
started Balloons every week where
+ Blooms from customers can
her home after walk in and pick
wanting a change out what they
for her career. want. Or I will
“I was a hair- have a bloom bar
dresser for 19 where it’s just the
years. I lost my stems, and they
mom suddenly can tell me what
out of nowhere. they like, and I
She was a florist can put it togeth-
when I was a kid. er for them, and
I ended up doing they can help me
her funeral flowers, my sisters and I get-togethers. And it’s just I couldn’t people are getting pictures, which if they’d like. I think it’s really neat to
and it was such a therapeutic, spe- do that at my house,” said Haren. that’s something that you’re going to do something different, and how cool
cial moment and we were doing it for Colony Square Mall General Man- cherish a lot. So, she puts a lot of care to make a gift with the florist to give
our mom,” explained Haren. “I came ager Jessica Brailer was at the ribbon and effort into that. And then she’s to someone. It just makes it more
home, and I said, life is too short. I cutting ceremony to support this mile- even helping with some things that special. So I plan on having fresh bou-
want to do something different, and stone for the mall’s newest business. aren’t necessarily blooms or flowers. quets and based arrangements ready
it’s not about the money and my hus- “Well, this has been a big blessing She does special backdrop pieces, to go.”
band said, you can do whatever you and very exciting because Dawn and I too. For back to school, she made a The business is located in the Colo-
want – just only have one job. So I have built a friendship, you know, on giant notebook out of foam board. So, ny Square Mall, 3575 Maple Avenue,
started doing flowers. And the bal- the personal level but also the busi- she really goes a step above every- Suite 310A, and is accessible by an
loon thing popped up everywhere and ness side. So, I’m very happy for her. thing. So, I’m just really happy for her outdoor entrance positioned between
I was like, oh, I can do balloons, too. She’s such a hard worker. She’s so to have been able to expand to this Shoe Carnival and JCPenney. Retail
But balloons took off. So flowers had creative. She pours so much into ev- level. And then it’s going to be a lot hours are Thursdays 4 to 7, Fridays 9
to go on the back burner. But so that’s erything that she does,” said Brailer. more convenient for her and her cus- to 2, and Saturdays 10 to 2. An out-
why now that I have the space, and And a lot of times I call her or text her tomers. So, it’s a win-win.” door self-serve stand was recently in-
now I can have an employee, I can do like last minute and say, I have some- In addition to working with the mall, corporated to provide floral bouquets
it all.” thing coming up this weekend, what Balloons + Blooms has had the oppor- even when the shop is not open.
Having a physical location outside can you do? And she always has so tunity to work with Kellogg’s, Shrivers For more information about Bal-
the home is a huge step that is play- many things in stock and then she Hospice, Chatty Cat Cafe, and Lepi & loons + Blooms, visit balloonsand-
ing a big role in the growth of Balloons can whip something up so quickly and Associates, to name a few business- bloom.com or follow them on Face-
+ Blooms. it just feels so special and so tailored. es. Of course, orders for private par- book.