An NYC flower shop that feels like a haven

Happiness. This is what Tangni Cortes hopes customers feel when they walk into Ora La Casa de Las Flores, the Queens-based floral studio and coffee shop she runs. 

“I wanted to make a little haven in New York where people can feel inspired and be surrounded by beautiful flowers and scents,” she said. “Somewhere you could feel at home and look at pretty things. We’re all a product of our environment. Fresh flowers aren’t forever, but their beauty can be uplifting for the time that you have them.”

This thought can be seen in every inch of the shop, from its calming cream walls to its tiles inspired by Cortes’ home country of Nicaragua. The shelves brim with sprightly roses, peonies, and orchids; hand-poured candles that have notes of citrus zest, bergamot, and dahlia; and a botanical skincare line called Ora by Tangni that consists of everything from body butter to shampoo bars. (Next up: a perfume line.) The café even offers homemade tea.  

It’s more than Cortes ever envisioned when she opened the shop in July 2020 with the aim of sourcing natural ingredients and fresh flowers from nearby farms. “It makes me so happy to come to the shop every day,” she said. “It’s a space where everything is possible.”  

One of Cortes’ busiest days of the year is Valentine’s Day, which American Express recently joined her for as part of our series “Small Business, Big Day.” She said it’s a privilege that customers trust her with the day, as well as other milestone moments; she’s often busy in the spring and fall whipping up her signature wild, organic arrangements for weddings.

“We find what’s fresh and looks best in the market,” she explained. “Our style is not modern, it’s not traditional — it’s inspired by nature.”

Cortes often spends her days handling flowers for wedding season, testing out new combinations for flower arrangements, placing orders, and checking on displays. She also makes about 400 mini dry flower arrangements per month, which she said urbanites love to buy for their apartments.

“As a small business owner, you do so many different things,” she said. “There is no typical day.”

 But American Express has helped her business in many ways.  

“It’s a relief to have an American Express Business Card because it gives me the flexibility to cover my expenses,” she said, adding that resources like marketing materials and digital tools that American Express provides have helped her save time. 

She’s also accepted American Express since day one of opening her shop. “It’s important that the checkout process is seamless, and accepting our customer’s preferred payment method, including American Express, is a crucial part of that,” she said. 

She described her typical customer as “very thoughtful,” often coming in to buy a handmade gift for a loved one or friend. “A lot of parents come in to buy flowers for their kids, which I love,” she added. “It always means a lot to me when customers pick out something special for someone they love.” 

American Express is committed to backing small merchants. Check out our Shop Small Resource Hub, which includes new ways for small business owners to market their business, expand their reach, and explore business insights and trends.  

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