A new wine bar experience is in bloom on Main Street Fort Mill, and in Lake Wylie
Melissa Frotten knows flowers. Decades in specialty and event floral arrangement have sharpened her eye to that special touch that takes a piece to its next level. This time, it was alcohol.
“We just put the wine and the beer with it, and it just exploded,” laughed husband Robert Frotten, who along with Melissa began The Flower Bar in Rock Hill.
The main location in Rock Hill is in Loves Plaza, on Cherry Road. It opened last July. It’s grown to a point the Frottens plan to add three more locations this year. A Lake Wylie site in the shopping center beside Starbucks on S.C. 49 will precede a 221 Main St. Fort Mill spot, plus a site in Melissa’s native Spartanburg.
“The Fort Mill location is under construction now,” Robert said. “It’s going to be open in October. We’re hoping to be open mid-May for the Lake Wylie location.”
The Fort Mill location will take over a former antique store. It’s right beside space where Charlotte retailer Moxie Mercantile announced plans a week ago to open a fashions boutique at 219 Main St. Kuester Commercial Real Estate remodeled both sites, as the company did the opposite side of Main Street a few years back to make way for restaurant and brewery space.
“The (Flower Bar) building is also an historic renovation, and probably the last one along Main Street Fort Mill,” said Shaw Kuester.
The Flower Bar began as fallout from COVID.
Melissa has a long history of floral arrangements for weddings, restaurants and events. COVID wiped them off the itinerary. The couple talked about Melissa setting up her own shop, something she agreed to on condition she could do it her way.
“I wanted people to be able to come in and see what was growing on local farms, and design with me,” she said.
Flower Bar hosts workshops on floral arrangements, holiday wreath and private event parties.
“It’s more of an experience than just a place to go,” Melissa said.
Adding beer and wine bumped up the experience factor. The site is known now for its wine slushies, having sold almost 7,000 of them since opening. Customers can create their own flavors from about 140 variations. A Marine veteran who sometimes barkeeps at Flower Bar, Robert said he’s noticed a theme in clientele.
“Yes,” he said. “Women.”
Melissa said Flower Bar is open to anyone and it isn’t unusual for people to bring their significant others along with them. But, she said, her husband isn’t wrong about the vibe.
“Ladies love flowers and wine,” Melissa said.
There aren’t televisions to distract. It’s a calm setting, on purpose. There isn’t a kitchen so the Rock Hill shop has menus from neighboring restaurants. People can bring food in with them. The same setup is expected in Lake Wylie and Fort Mill.
“People can come in and actually have a conversation,” Melissa said.
The Rock Hill site is about 3,000 square feet. The coming ones will be a bit smaller, about 2,200 to 2,700 square feet, but will have an open floor plan.
