McPHERSON, Kan. — It was a celebratory morning at Nooks & Crannies Floral as owners of nearly 30 years Susan Hawley and Linda Allen officially passed the torch (or stems) over to Tonya Robertson and Deseri Orlanzzini.
Casey Justus, ambassador for the McPherson Chamber of Commerce and Ad Astra Radio McPherson Sales Executive, welcomed everyone to the Chamber Ribbon Cutting ceremony at Nooks & Crannies on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
“I think probably everyone in here has utilized Nooks and Crannies for so many different exciting parts of our lives,” Justus said. “Like Valentine’s Day or prom for our first babies…Just all sorts of different things.”
Justus thanked Hawley and Allen for all they have done for the community and their customers.
“Nooks & Crannies has a place in our homes, in our hearts and in our lives,” Justus said, also giving a big congratulations to Robertson and Orlanzzini on taking over the business.
Kayla Moritz, Chamber President and McPherson Center for Health Marketing Director also congratulated the ladies on 30 years of service in McPherson and wished them well on their retirement, adding that the hospital has worked with them for a variety of things.
“You’ve just blessed us with amazing, beautiful arrangements for various occasions,” Moritz said. “And you guys have done beautiful funeral arrangements that have given families comfort and brightened celebrations, and so we just thank you for this service that you’ve provided to our community for many years.”
Celebrating a 30-year legacy:
“It has been almost 30 years, and it’s gone by fast,” Hawley said. “It seems like it’s just been maybe five or six years, but we are tired, and we’ve gotten a few years older in that time.”
The business started as a small shop by the post office and after three months moved to Main Street. It wasn’t a floral business at first according to Hawley, but that’s what it ended up becoming.
There were some difficult times for the business including a recession and more recently, Covid.
“But we made it through all that, and it’s been wonderful with all of you customers,” Hawley said. “We’ve been there for your joys and your sorrows, and you’ve become great friends. We’ll miss seeing you, but hopefully we’ll run into you around town.”
Hawley and Allen are pleased that Robertson and Orlanzzini are going to carry on their store and believe the ladies will make the business better.
“We know that Des and Tonya will carry on all the beautiful florals that have come out of here and the great customer service,” Hawley said. “They’re fantastic. They’re very creative.”
Allen echoed Hawley’s statement, adding, “They’re going to grow it to a new level and that’s what we’re excited about.”
Although the two are sad to leave, as they have made great friends the past 30 years, they are looking forward to seeing the work of Orlanzzini and Robertson.
“We’ll be looking at their beautiful florals when we go to funerals and celebrations and stuff and know that everything is beautiful,” Hawley said. “Probably better than what we did.”
Allen thanked the McPherson community for using the business for their special events through the years and recalled during Covid how there were many people who ordered things they didn’t need just to keep the business going.
“It’s been a real pleasure and an honor to take care of your needs when you’re sad or when you’re happy or just need a lift,” Allen said. “You know, we just appreciate it so much.”
Celebrating a new chapter:
Orlanzzini and Robertson worked at Elyria Christian School for about six years together, sharing a very close desk space.
In February 2025, Robertson brought up buying Nooks & Crannies. The two laughed about it at first, but a couple of months later, they started really considering the idea.
“We decided this is what we want to do,” Robertson said. “We don’t want to sit behind a desk. We want to use our creativity and we love the idea of serving people through that creativity.”
Robertson and Orlanzzini plan to continue the great service and products that Hawley and Allen provided for the past 30 years. They also have plans to bring in new products and offer some fun events for the community in the future.
“We have lots of great ideas that we want to implement,” Robertson added. “This is our eighth day, so we’re not ready to implement them just yet, but we do have some fresh new ideas.”
The two are thankful for the guidance and mentorship they have received from Hawley and Allen over the past couple of months.
“If we do make it better, it’s because we had amazing teachers,” Orlanzzini said.
Orlanzzini and Robertson thanked their families for their support and gave a shoutout to Raynel Dobson, who has worked at Nooks & Crannies for ten years, and is staying on board.
McPherson City Commissioner Larry Wiens congratulated everyone on behalf of the city.
“Some people may say this is a sad day. I don’t think it’s a sad day; I think it’s a wonderful day.” Wiens said. “It’s just a changing of the guard.”
Wiens added that it’s good to see that a business like Nooks & Crannies is staying in McPherson.
“It’s been here for 30 years, and we hope there’s another 30 years,” Wiens concluded.
Robertson and Orlanzzini were presented their First Dollar of Profit from the McPherson Chamber of Commerce as well as a giant check representing their E-Commerce loan of $50,000 from the McPherson County E-Community.
“The Chamber partners with Network Kansas to provide cap gap financing,” McPherson Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Hawkinson said. “It’s just really special to see how we’ve been a part of the landscape, not only downtown, but in the entire county, just helping those businesses get that extra funding that they need to make their dreams a reality.”
