Flower Child Reopens in a New Lakewood Location After 25 Years

When Flower Child opened at 11508 Clifton Blvd. 25 years ago, it didn’t take long to become a destination for timeless fashion, quirky antiques and cherished collectibles. Beyond the shelves and racks, owner Joe Valenti has built a thriving community of those looking to slow down and fall in love with the finer things.

“I started the place because it made me happy,” Valenti says. “It's a safe place for everybody. Even if you don't buy something, just come in, grab a cup of coffee and walk around. I love answering questions and making new friends every single day. I've seen my vendors have children. I've seen customers who had children. I've seen their children now having children coming to see me.”

But despite his longstanding legacy on Clifton Boulevard, Valenti wanted more space. He admits he was on the hunt for a new spot for a couple years, until the building at 1360 W. 117th St. fell into his lap. With the bigger shop in Lakewood, he can host about 18 vendors, many of which are returning sellers from the eight at the original store. The new Lakewood spot is nearly the same size as Flower Child’s second location in Columbus.

“(The Columbus store) is 33,000 square feet,” Valenti says, “and I've been looking for a building that was both around that footprint and close by to the (Clifton Boulevard) store. I lived in that neighborhood up until two years ago.
I love the people; I love the fact that everybody still supports local there. I'm sad about the old space; I love the little rooms, but I love the shop here.”

In addition, the new location boasts ample parking for guests, and a dock on the lot offers seamless dropoffs and convenient loading for merchandise. Inside, all showrooms are consolidated to one floor instead of two, making the store more accessible for those with mobility restrictions.

“Having one level was really important to help our customers more.” Valenti says. “With wheelchair accessibility and people aging, I just want to make everybody feel comfortable.”

It wasn’t a mighty move down to West 117th Street — just one-fourth of a mile — but much of the shop’s existing inventory didn’t come along, making the shift a brand new chapter for Flower Child.

“The object was to clean out as much as we could,” Valenti says, “because after almost 26 years, there's a lot of things packed in there. We started a sale at 20% off everything, then 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%. At 70% off, if it wasn’t carried out by the public, it moved on to an auction, or we’re donating to shelters where people need furniture.”

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Since the grand reopening in Lakewood on Nov. 5, the stock looks different, but Flower Child’s unique charm, novelty decor and eclectic selection has remained unchanged. (Valenti beams about how the store is already decked out for Christmas, because it’s never too early.) Business is resuming as usual, but the extra space allows for outdoor food trucks, indoor markets, fundraiser events and specialty shows for everything from records, vintage T-shirts or mid-century modern antiques.

Valenti is pulling from the lessons he’s learned in 25 years to help guide Flower Child’s next 25.

“I've learned to take a breath before jumping in, listen more to what people are asking of me,” he says. “There's just so much out there; you've got to be more than you've ever been before. I don't like the word ‘no.’ I always see what I can do. And I put my head on my pillow every night and sleep really well knowing that I did the best possible job.”

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