Stepping into Loeffler’s Flowers and Gifts feels like entering a space where tradition and creativity are constantly in bloom, with vibrant arrangements, lush plants, and unique gifts around every corner. For this installment of Meeting Meadville, Kelly Rhoades, of Kelly Rhoades Photography, visited owner Travis Crytzer at the longtime Chestnut Street shop to explore how nearly a century of history—paired with a passion for design and community connection—continues to shape one of Meadville’s most cherished local businesses.
Meeting Meadville with Kelly Rhoades
The incredible Travis Crytzer welcomed me onto his shoppe, which is full of beauty! Since Loeffler’s has been around for so long, many are already familiar with the name. It is often associated with arrangements for special events or funerals, bouquets for weddings, or roses for that special someone, but it is SO much more! Trying to find the perfect gift for someone who has everything? They have a stunning selection of plants and succulents that are truly gifts that gives all year long. There is no shortage of special items that can be found throughout this store!
Tell us a little about your business!
“We are a full service, family owned florist and gift shop located in the heart of Meadville PA on Chestnut Street owned by Travis Crytzer. Loeffler’s Flowers has been serving and supporting the community for over 99 years. We are so excited to be celebrating our 100th birthday in 2026. I am the fifth owner in its 100 year tenure. Our sister shop, Blossoms and Blooms Boutique established in 2017, is located in Linesville, PA and is managed by Sequoia Whitmer (my sister). We offer the freshest flowers that are long lasting and gorgeous. We have an experienced team of flower designers who are the absolute best in the industry and will design the most exquisite arrangement. These arrangements can be easily turned into a flower arrangement subscription being delivered to an address you select and as often as you would like with no worries of forgetting a major holiday or milestone! We offer incredible customer service and an inventory of the most unique gifts for all ocassions. We also have a wide selection of the healthiest green plants perfect for your home or office. We offer delivery throughout the entire area including Ohio. We also host monthly flower design classes and we offer plant care and maintenance in your office or home on an agreed upon regular basis. We invite our clients to visit either location and we are always open online at either of our websites. The shop would not be as successful if it were not for the amazing clients who support our shop and trust us for your most important ocassions- birthdays, anniversaries, just because, new job, retirement, friendship, sympathy, sorrow- to name just a few! Lastly and most importantly, we are blessed with the most sincere and dedicated group of employees who truly elevate the shop to the next level of excellance! Thank you for over 99 years of support and we look forward to being a part of the community for another 100 years!”
What inspired you to start your business?
“My parents, Judy Crytzer and Tom Crytzer, owned and operated Inlet Valley Greenhouses and Landscaping all during my childhood and it was located at our childhood home. I was very active in the business especially on the creative side and with customer service. Upon graduating highschool I moved to Washington, DC to attend college and pursue a career in politics. Having spent 17 years living in our nation’s capital successfully being a lobbyist for medical schools and teaching hospitals, I decided I needed a change and moved back to NWPA. The main reason for the move was I was becoming an uncle and I wanted to be present in nephews and nieces lives. Realizing a need for a florist in the western side of Crawford County, I opened Blossoms and Blooms Boutique in September of 2017 along side my most trusted and closest confident, my mom Judy Crytzer. Less than a year after opening our first shop we expanded and I became the owner of Loeffler’s Flowers and Gifts in May of 2018. I am beyond elated to have combined the youngest flower shop with the oldest flower shop in the county creating the premier full service florist in the entire Crawford County area. I am so happy I moved back to my hometown and owning a small business is extremely rewarding, but a lot of work and time and dedication.”
What is something that makes your business unique?
“Our business is unique in that every phone call we receive or client that walks in the door is different and always a range of emotion. Each client is experiencing their own situation and we are ready to assist whether it is happy or sad. Flowers provide many benefits to the human population. Flowers are a powerful way to illustrate the positive health benefits of giving and receiving flowers by reducing stress, anxiety and making people happy. It brings me the greatest joy to see flowers brighten someones day, bring comfort in a time of sorrow or a surprise to boost someones spirits! Every day is different and the ability to work in such a creative environment is extremely special and rewarding. Another unique aspect of our shops is that we host monthly free concerts inside our Blossoms location and during the months of May-September the concerts move outside for an even greater attendance and community involvement. My mom is our event director and coordinates and books all of the musical acts and musicians!”
In your opinion, what is the best thing about Meadville?
“The best thing about Meadville and the surrounding communities is the true sense of pride and appreciation for everything we have around us. Our area is blessed with so many wonderful qualities such as outdoor recreation, well educated workforce and manufacturing, easy access to major airports and cities, clear blue skies, all four seasons…and the list goes on! I have traveled around the world and there is no where else I would rather be than right here in Crawford County!”
Which Meadville business, aside from your own, is your favorite?
“It is extremely difficult to select one favorite business. We have a very vibrant small business community and each business and its owners bring so much to our region! It is imparative to support all small businesses as they are the ones supporting all of your local non profit groups, fundraisers and charity organizations. The small business community also is a huge financial contributor to our local economy! They are all my favorites and I encourage you to visit all of them for your season of giving this year!”
Don’t forget to stop by Loeffler’s while you’re out Christmas shopping. You might be surprised by what you find!
You can scroll through the visual story using the gallery below. You can also see the original post on Kelly Rhoades’ Facebook Page here. (Be sure to Like and leave a nice comment too!)
Kelly Rhoades is helping to Make Meadville through her work on this project. If you’d like to see Kelly’s full portfolio of work and book a session, go to her website at www.kellyrhoadesphotography.com
