Meagan Cooley’s journey as a florist in Owensboro began with a simple idea — a vintage Ford pickup truck filled with fresh flowers. Her business has not only blossomed into a thriving brick-and-mortar business, but she’s also now rooted in downtown Owensboro after taking over and merging with Simply Chic Home Accents. Kate Mazariegos, owner of Kate & Waverly Home, has joined Cooley in the new space, bringing her collection of vintage goods and antique finds.
For Cooley, it all started in 2017 in a home studio that focused on weddings. She later moved to Owensboro and launched The Mobile Meadow, a pop-up flower truck appearing at local festivals and events. After running that for about a year, Cooley opened her first storefront, Meadow House Flowers & Gifts, on East 18th Street in 2022.
The shop specialized in flowers, gifts, and wedding arrangements, but Cooley always had a bigger vision. When she learned that Debi Ford, the owner of Simply Chic Home Accents, was planning to retire and sell her business, she saw an opportunity to expand.
Cooley took a leap of faith, merging Meadow House with Simply Chic to create Simply Chic Home, Gift & Floral. The expanded store, located at 101 West 3rd Street, offers a mix of home accents, fresh and faux flowers, thoughtful gifts, and bereavement items.
The grand reopening is set for February 1.
“I’d always dreamed of a nice, big space just like this one,” Cooley said. “Owensboro has been really receptive and open, and I’ve made some great connections. It’s exciting to see everything come together.”
The move has allowed Cooley to not only grow her business but also collaborate with a like-minded entrepreneur in Mazariegos. The two previously shared a building on St. Elizabeth, and their friendship and shared passion for curating unique items made the decision to move together an easy one.
“At first, I wasn’t sure,” Mazariegos said. “I was sick over Christmas, so I didn’t have a lot of time to think about it. But after we sat down and talked, I realized how much I loved working with Meagan and how well we complement each other. It’s an exciting opportunity to be part of the revitalization of downtown.”
Mazariegos’ business focuses on sustainability, breathing new life into second-hand pieces while blending vintage and modern styles. As an interior designer, she sees value in mixing old and new to create personal and unique spaces.
“I grew up thrifting and going to yard sales with my mom,” Mazariegos said. “For a long time, that kind of shopping wasn’t as appreciated, but now people are seeing how you can create something truly special by combining vintage pieces with new finds.”
In the midst of their expansion, Cooley and Mazariegos are focused on creating an inviting space where customers can find meaningful gifts, home décor, and floral arrangements. For Cooley, it’s not just about flowers — it’s about helping people express love and care in different ways.
“My heart is to help people love their people well,” Cooley said. “You can do that through flowers, through gifts, through an experience. That’s what ties everything together.”
Cooley also shared her appreciation for Ford’s guidance during the transition.
“She did so well with it,” Cooley said, noting Simply Chic had been in operation for 12 years before Ford decided to retire. “It became a staple in our community. I’m just really thankful for what she built here and that I was given the chance to step into it and bring it into a different era.”
As they settle into their new location, the two entrepreneurs are looking forward to being a vibrant part of Owensboro’s downtown scene, bringing fresh energy to the area’s growing small business community.
