New flower and gift shop opens next to the post office in Theodosia
Shari McCallister, the new manager of Just Because Floral and Gifts, has over 34 years of experience in the floral industry and recently sold her flower shop in Houston, Missouri. She is now the lead designer at the Theodosia shop, which offers an array of gift items and floral options.
Just Because Floral and Gifts has opened in Theodosia, conveniently located next door to the Theodosia post office on Highway 160. The shop offers residents in the area a new place to shop for gift items and order a wide variety of flowers and floral arrangements.
The store is owned by Leslie and Sheri May and is managed by lead floral designer Shari McCallister.
“We carry a wide range of silk florals from centerpieces to wreaths plus specialty items such as fishing- or deer-themed arrangements. Fresh florals are also available. We carry gift items, plants, plush, embroidered items and much more,” Shari told the Times. “We have lots of things planned for the retail business. Something unique that we carry is laser engraved tumblers with ‘Bull Shoals Lake’ on them.”
She says the shop has a children’s reading corner, where kids can come in and check out books to take home to read. “It’s like a mini library for the area kids who might be here visiting or that live here. All the books have been donated from many people.”
Shari said she became involved with the shop after visiting the Theodosia area with her good friends, Les and Sheri, over the last year or so.
“I recently sold my florist [shop] in Houston, Missouri. I’m a big supporter of shopping and eating at local businesses. I felt that there was something I could contribute to the area. After praying about it, something just kept drawing me back to the community. That’s when Just Because Floral and Gifts LLC became a reality.”
Shari says she’s been in the floral industry for over 34 years, and she enjoys meeting new people and creating unique floral arrangements.
“My one favorite passion is decorating Christmas trees. I have had the honor of helping decorate the Missouri Governor’s mansion at Christmas-time for the past four years,” she said.
She is in the planning stages of organizing “make and take” classes, where area residents can attend workshops to learn how to arrange floral pieces and take them home with them. She’s also planning to include space to sell antique items.
“We want to build the business into one that people want to come and see what’s new because things are constantly changing,” she said. “I want people to drop in, bring their cup of coffee or soda pop and say hi.”
Just Because Floral and Gifts is located at 5625 Highway 160, Suite 3 in Theodosia. It is open regular hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Payments accepted include cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Venmo and PayPal.
For more information, call the shop at 417-260-0024, email justbecausefloral24@gmail.com or find JUST BECAUSE-Floral and Gifts on Facebook.