Category: Timeline

Event Floral is pleased to announce the start of a major expansion and ground breaking of a new 5,000 plus square foot facility.

Event Floral is a full service florist specializing in custom designed flowers and décor for weddings and events. Founded in 2003 by Debra Quillen, a veteran of the local Rockford, Illinois floral industry, Event Floral is in its 14th year of business. Current owner Erin Stoffregen assumed ownership in January 2014, overseeing consistent growth, staffing increases, and new business offerings.

Event Floral will transition from the current 2,000 sq. foot workshop to a custom built, 5,000 plus sq. foot facility that will serve as a main headquarters for company operations. All floral, linen, rental, décor, and custom event work will be produced at the new facility, streamlining production processes and offering the ability for even more growth.

With more than ten years in the business, owner Erin Stoffregen has been with the company since its beginnings. “I have always shared the passion and vision for the company’s potential and this building expansion is the next logical step for our growth,” says Stoffregen. “The opportunity to design and build a custom facility from the ground up will allow us to better tailor our services, proceed to produce high quality floral and décor, and continue to position this company as a premier wedding and event vendor in the area.”

Work has already begun at the new building site, which is located in Loves Park, Illinois on Rock Valley Parkway. The project is estimated to take about eight months. McClellan Blakemore Architects has overseen the design and Oehlberg Construction will complete the build.

Visit our Facebook and Instagram for frequent photos and construction updates.

Thank you to all who attended our groundbreaking ceremony. The support from family, friends, staff and community members is so greatly appreciated.

Founder Deb Quillen, with now owner Erin Stoffregen. Erin assumed ownership in 2014.

Left to Right: Head designers Kim Dazey and Diane Didier Adolphson, Manager Jordan Calgaro, Founder Deb Quillen, Owner Erin Stoffregen, Loves Park Mayor Darryl Lindberg, Alderman Greg Jury, Alderman John Pruitt, and Alderman Clint Little

Erin with the building team. McClellan Blakemore Architects, Oehlberg Construction, Alpine Bank and Legacy Designs.

Event Floral staff and team members participate in a ceremonial dig.

Erin with Manager Jordan Calgaro.

Erin, husband Brandon, and boys Lucas, Nathan, and Joshua break ground.

Photos by C. Tyson Photography. Sound provided by SVL Productions. Refreshments from Mary’s Market.

As of January 2014, Erin has taken ownership of Event Floral, starting a new and exciting chapter for the business.  “As I had been with Event Floral since its beginnings, shared Deb’s passion and vision for the company’s potential, and had helped build and guide its growth, it was a natural fit to make the transition to business owner,” explains Erin.

{Erin’s words}

“Why I love flowers and events specifically: Flowers of course are incredibly beautiful and inspiring. I love seeing new varieties and even seasoned designers, myself included, will stop dead in our tracks on a work day to admire the most perfectly-petaled rose or a rarity like a double-bloom tulip. Beyond that, I am fascinated with the temporal quality of flowers and events. They both only exist for a specific amount of time and can never be exactly re-created. Their beauty is physically short lived, but they can create memories that last a lifetime, that are long-lived and everlasting. Conceptually I am entranced by this ephemeral quality of the near divine opportunity to create beauty, inspired by and directly drawn from nature, designed from a client’s dreams and desires to stand for once in a lifetime–for a specific moment/event–that once over, will live on only in memories and photographs.”

As a fairly recent bride herself, Erin can relate to today’s brides quite well. And, as a young business owner in the floral and design industry, Erin offers many fresh and modern ideas that she is excited to share with her clients. She enjoys the challenge of creating original, unexpected designs that encompass premier styling and quality along with the client’s personality and vision.

Erin’s wedding reception was held at the Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms  in Rockton, Illinois. You can read about the wedding here: http://orchardridgefarms.com/weddingblog/real-wedding-e-b/

Event Floral is honored to be listed as a preferred vendor for the Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farm as well as many top local venues including Prairie Street Brewhouse, Franchesco’s Ristorante, Anderson Japanese Gardens, and DC Estates Winery.

Born from a spark of love for parties, Event Floral was founded in 2003, to provide distinctive floral designs and coordinating décor for weddings, events, and life’s special occasions. Owner and Creative Director, Erin Stoffregen, became a key member of the business early on. What started as a summer job working with founder and original owner, Debra Quillen, soon became a passion. As Erin honed her design skills, she settled into her niche creating the wedding bridal bouquets. The most personal and often specifically detailed item was a perfect fit for Erin’s creativity, sensitivity, and attention to detail. Since 2009, Erin has worked with Deb, assuming managerial and sales responsibilities in gradual preparation for ownership.