After potting three different establishments in the Milwaukee area, Brian and Mari Zarletti have uprooted their high-end South Milwaukee flower and gift shop and re-planted it at 311 W. Silver Spring Dr. in Whitefish Bay.

"Most of my business was over the phone. That's the reason why we moved," Mari Zarletti says. "The South Shore location was not developing; it was regressing actually. We do very special floral design and it's more suited for Silver Spring."

The shop officially opened at the Silver Spring address on Mother's Day weekend.

Along with the new location, the flower shop has a new name: Zarletti Fiori di Mari.

"We were CZ Flowers and we are Zarletti Fiori di Mari, which means flowers by (Mari) my name," Zarletti explains. "The reason for that is because of our restaurant downtown (called Zarletti at 741 N. Milwaukee St.), it's a little more recognizable."

However, she says that when people walk in, it may be hard to tell that Zarletti actually does flowers.

"This flower shop is more of a boutique gift store," Zarletti says. "There are unique gifts in here besides the lovely flowers."

She lists items that are custom to the store and unique to the area, including a custom-made belt line, a line of shoes from New York, clothing and cotton hats.

"I just wanted a store where women, not to exclude men, could find everything their heart desires," Zarletti says. "It's a fun store with things that make you happy with a colorful façade, hot pinks and fuchsias, girly and fun, welcoming, something to put a smile on your face."

But, of course, the flowers are a large part of Zarletti Fiori di Mari.

"We specialize in high-end floral design, bridal consulting, we have commercial accounts," Zarletti says. "We do unique and beautiful arrangements."

The Zarletti's flower shop had originally been adjacent to Café Zarletti, 1021 Milwaukee Ave., in South Milwaukee, another of the couple's enterprises specializing in panini.

Zarletti says that the café remains in South Milwaukee and the future of the empty space next door is still uncertain.

"There are people who are interested in expanding the café into the other space complete with reception," she says. However, the couple has its own ideas as well.

"One day soon, we want to reinvent the café in a proper location," Zarletti says, especially since the idea behind Café Zarletti is unique.

The Zarlettis are also shopping around for a third restaurant location, but Zarletti is keeping the details quiet.

For now, the two are working on linking all the businesses with a Web site and working with each other at the different locations.

"(Brian) does the restaurant downtown. It's all of ours, but that's his focus," Zarletti says, but don't think they stick to their own locales.

"I'm there hosting some nights and he's here causing trouble," she laughs.

Zarletti Fiori di Mari's phone number is (414) 967-8888.

6 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by OMCreader on Aug. 21, 2006 at 10:24 a.m. (report)

Jen said: Mari did the flowers for my wedding and they were outstanding. Very creative and the quality is wonderful. Everyone raved about the flowers at my wedding and several friends went with Mari for their weddings.

Posted by OMCreader on Aug. 10, 2006 at 2:06 p.m. (report)

Sara said: The shop does have some unique clothes that are very fun. Maybe if we're lucky there'll be a Zarletti restaurant in the North Shore someday. It is needed.

Posted by OMCreader on June 20, 2006 at 2:09 p.m. (report)

Jenny said: I have had wonderful food and service at their restaurant, and am looking forward to patronizing the shop, now that is on my side of the city.

Posted by OMCreader on June 18, 2006 at 3:13 p.m. (report)

edo e alessandra said: siamo veramente felici che brian e mari abbiano potuto aprire questo fantastico shop a milwakee...il nostro cuore é sempre con loro! good job amici.

Posted by OMCreader on June 5, 2006 at 2:51 p.m. (report)

Mike said: Mari and Brian are gracious hosts at both of their establishments and I'm sure the North Shore will be gracious to their new boutique. Congratulations to the Zarletti's on another success!!!