Joy Flower Pot
August 19, 2025 / Photo: Courtesy of Minh Anh Nguyen
Kelly Nguyen always had an appreciation for flowers and grew up admiring her family’s garden in Việt Nam. Years later, she moved to NYC’s Lower East Side and fell in love with the multifaceted neighborhood — as well as its many local businesses. Among them was Joy’s Flowers and Gifts, a florist offering elegant arrangements to clients and neighborhood residents.
After working in the restaurant industry for many years, she left her job in 2019 to pursue other passions. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and she learned that the flower shop’s owner Joy was looking to retire. She began to work at the store part-time to help make arrangements and fulfill the many orders that were still being received. In October 2020 she officially became its owner, and renamed it Joy Flower Pot. Though this entailed entering a full “retail floral boot camp,” she says that she drew from her business and management background to help her acclimate.
Since then, she has continued to honor and expand upon the shop’s legacy as a joyful, floral-filled LES staple.
“I really loved the cornerstone feel of the old shop and wanted to keep it as the local flower spot, prioritizing serving local regulars,” she said. “I also loved the ‘Joy’ aspect to it and wanted to bring that energy with us into the new era, spreading positivity through flowers and nature.”
Nguyen’s arrangements highlight her originality, whimsy, and love of color. Though she is always experimenting with her work, she is also committed to capturing her clients’ unique visions.
When asked what fuels her creativity, Nguyen says she finds inspiration from many different sources, including fashion, fine art, films and spaces around the city.
“I think our style is constantly evolving as it does for any artist,” she explained. “In seeking to always offer something new to our clients it's exciting to see the discoveries we make in our designs,”
She also says that the neighborhood itself has helped inform her creative choices and decisions for the shop.
“So many people in New York, whether they've lived here for generations or are starting a new chapter, have such amazing taste and bring so many stories with them. We always work to incorporate that, while offering curated suggestions in line with our brand style,” she explained. “We've seen a lot of clients who have come in over the years from getting their first date flowers to a wedding bouquet or anniversary flowers. The Lower East Side feels tight knit once you invest in it and that's a legacy we want to continue through our store.”
In the coming months, Nguyen is looking forward to making more arrangements for events, weddings, brand activations, and individuals with similar creative vision. She will also be expanding her services to LA, while continuing to engage her NYC community through local partnerships, block parties, and floral workshops.
More about Joy Flower Pot can be found here.
