This month, we’re strolling a path of flowery chocolate romance through GVEC’s service territory, telling the stories of a few local shops that specialize in gifts from the heart. We hope you’ll make a few real-life visits to these local flower shops and bakeries on route to your own Valentine liaisons.
♥Flowers♥
Seguin
Kolbe Flower Shop
— In business since 1964, Kolbe is Seguin’s oldest local florist.
Dietz Flower Shop
— In business since 1966, Dietz consistently ranks as one of the area’s top local flower shops.
Viola’s Flower Shop
Viola’s Flower Shop
— Viola’s opened in 1970 as a dress shop before merging with a local florist in the 1980s. Patricia and Yancy Thornton have owned it since 1995.
Cuero
Ryan’s On Main
— Spreading Valentine wishes in Cuero since 1950, Ryan’s specializes in “tug-at-your-heartstrings” floral arrangements and antique furnishings with rustic character and charm. Of all the local flower shops on our list, this is the only one we know of that also specializes in antique furnishings.
Ryan’s on Main
Gonzales
BZ’s Country Petals
BZ’s Country Petals
— BZ’s is owned, operated and named for GVEC retiree Ronald Baker (the “B” in BZ), his wife Sandy and her sister Kathy Zella (the “Z”).
Person’s Flower Shop
— With arrangements as unique as the love between two, Person’s has served Gonzales from the same location and building since 1933, making it one of the area’s oldest local flower shops. They were also among the first local flower shops to offer delivery, employing the first panel truck in the area for distributing Valentine goodies.
Person’s Flower Shop
La Vernia
All in Bloom
— Valentine’s Day is “All in Bloom” at this La Vernia flower shop and women’s boutique—serving the area for over 30 years.
Rye’s Flowers & Gifts and More
Rye’s Flowers & Gifts and More
— Opened in 1972, Rye’s takes pride in doing “Valentine’s Day your way.”
Shiner
The Raintree Florist & Gift Shop
— The Raintree building has one of the more interesting histories among the local flower shops on our list. It originally opened in 1916 as a bar and saloon and spent 46 years as a John Deere dealership. It now shares a physical attachment to the Gaslight Theater.
Laura’s Floral Design & Gifts
Laura’s Floral Design & Gifts
— Owner Laura Sciba bought her first flower shop in the 1980s at age 21 and sold it a few years later to marry GVEC veteran equipment operator Bruce Sciba and have a family. She repurchased the original building in 1999, opening a completely new floral business that turned 20 in 2019.
Yoakum
Karl’s Flowers & Gift Shop
— Karl’s has been making Valentine’s memories in Yoakum since 1983, with roses and gifts suited to every love and Valentine’s wish.
Yorktown
Main Flower & Gift Shop
— Launched in 1972, this local florist and gift shop became a family tradition in 1978 when Tonie Metting purchased it from the original owner. Daughter Marie took over in 2013.
Main Flower & Gift Shop
Nixon
The Flower Tubb
— Whether your love is around the corner or around the world, the Flower Tubb can help create and send a Valentine’s keepsake to remember!
New Braunfels
Comal Flower Shop on the Plaza
— Named one of the country’s top 500 florists, Comal has been delivering treasured Valentine memories in Comal County since 1956. Their current design team has more than 60 years’ experience.
Weidners Flowers
— Weidners originally opened in 1944; for four decades, current owner Diana Clayburne has been losing two weeks’ sleep in the runup to Valentine’s Day.
Branch & Bloom
Branch & Bloom
— After raising five children, shopkeeper Victoria Hammond decided it was time to “Branch & Bloom” out into a new chapter of life. In 2015, she opened Branch & Bloom in partnership with her son, Ethan, a 23-year-old Texas A&M MBA student.
♥Bakeries♥
Seguin
Superior Cakes and Bakery
— The Marungo family has been baking sweets in South Central Texas for over 40 years, spanning three cities and four decades. For them, sweets are always in season and Valentine’s is always a sweet reason to celebrate love.
Sweet Treats
Sweet Treats
— Sweet Treats of Seguin features chocolate-covered strawberries for Valentine’s, each made fresh from an in-house recipe.
Cuero
Cuero Pecan House
McAlisters Sweet Shop
— McAlisters’ founder Frances “Red” McAlister opened this Cuero sweet-spot more than 50 years ago. The shop still uses his original recipe for its popular heart-shaped Valentine’s cake.
Cuero Pecan House
— Cuero Pecan House has been cooking up Valentine’s love over 12 years, featuring a romantic, take-home dinner for two that includes a main course, salad and dessert. For added spark, take home some chocolate strawberries too!
New Braunfels
2Tarts
2Tarts
— Sisters and “co-tarts” April Weilbacher and Ashley Landerman founded their bakery on love of community and blissful baked goodies. In Nov. 2019, Ashley appeared on and won Food Network’s “Christmas Cookie Challenge.” For Valentine’s Day, the sisters feature chocolate covered strawberries and award-winning sugar cookies dressed up as conversation hearts!
Naegelin’s Bakery
— As the oldest bakery in all the Lone Star State, Naegelin’s has served up over a 140 years of Valentine memories!
Gonzales
Sweet B’s Dessert Boutique
— Specializing year-round in homemade treats, Sweet B’s serves up all natural chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream for Valentine’s, along with decadent chocolate-covered strawberries and personalized sugar-cookie “Valentine’s cards.”
Sweet B’s
H & H Café & Bakery Inc.
— H & H serves breakfast and lunch for a romantic meal out with your sweetheart, plus plenty of dreamy sweets for every special someone.
Hallettsville
Kountry Bakery
— Kountry Bakery started from Clarence and Evelynn Besetsny’s kitchen, with help from their four daughters and two sons. Since 1985, this Hallettsville social hub has helped make Valentine’s Day—and every other day—a whole lot sweeter in South Central Texas.
Kountry Bakery
