From Baker University convocations to senior high school proms, the employees at Cranberry Market have made the proper floral arrangements for 11 years under the ownership of Laurie Shuck.

Shuck, who has been a florist for 30 years, said the job has some perks.

“This job allows you a little creativity and freedom,” she said. “We get to laugh at work a lot, and it’s a lot of fun.”

But the job isn’t all roses. Shuck admits it includes terrible benefits and physical labor.

Designer Candi Stout said even though being a florist contains difficult hours and strenuous work, the atmosphere at the Cranberry Market is family-friendly.

“This is one of the few jobs that you can put your family first,” Stout said.

The work atmosphere also attracts senior Chad O’Bryhim, who has been a part-time employee since his freshman year. O’Bryhim said he does a little bit of everything at the shop, from driving the delivery van to answering phones and creating advertisements to arranging the window display.

“I get to be creative here, and I never get bored,” he said.

The personal connection Stout and Shuck make with their customers is what they find the most interesting part of the job.

“We’ve watched kids come in for their prom boutonnieres or corsages, then they have us do flowers for their wedding or their parents’ funerals,” Stout said.

Located at 914 Ames St.  in Baldwin City, Cranberry Market has a $1 rose special on Fridays, which O’Bryhim said attracts a lot of Baker students.

For more information about the flower shop and its services, visit www.cranberrymarket.com or call (785) 594-2711.