Aviary Cafe co-founder opens floral shop

Deb Burgess this month opened a floral and home decor store, selling goods in the style she created in co-founding Aviary Cafe and Creperie LLC.

Burgess, who with husband Mark last year sold Aviary Cafe, launched Flora & Fern LLC on Sept. 3. The store sells specialty house plants, such as hanging orchids, topiaries and mounted staghorn ferns, vintage furniture, handmade jewelry and art. Items familiar to Aviary Cafe customers, such as a mounted deer head wearing a sweater, also are available.

“It’s just kind of whimsical, more of an experience than a shop,” Burgess said, pointing to an indoor rope swing and greenhouse made of old windows.

Burgess signed a three-year lease with options for the 1,500-square-foot space at 1717 E. Cherokee St., Ste. 105. She declined to disclose startup costs or lease terms with building owner J. Haik Properties LLC. The retail center, near Cherokee and Glenstone Avenue, also houses Early Bird Breakfast Pub and a few other retail shops.

In mid-2015, Deb and Mark Burgess - who co-founded Aviary Cafe downtown in April 2011 - sold the company to Westward Alliance LLC. Mark Burgess owns charter aircraft service Burgess Aircraft Management LLC.