Burklands Florist & Gifts has been in business for more than 90 years. In the late 1990s, Kay Spruell purchased the business when she and her husband wanted to move their family back to the Effingham area. Their daughter, Shelby Dasenbrock, has been working with Kay full time for nine years and plans to take over when Kay retires.

As a full-service florist, Burkland’s provides arrangements for sympathy, wedding and all occasions. They are also a Hallmark Gold Crown Store, with cards, ornaments and other gift items. They operate on the philosophy that customers always come first. They pride themselves on the excellent quality of their designs and flowers. Kay’s biggest inspiration is “the wonderful community we have here in Effingham County.”

“The thing I enjoy the most about work is getting to work with my second family and all the customers that have turned into great friends throughout the years,” she said. Kay and the staff at Burkland’s Florist and Gifts take pride in their work and have a good time doing it. They have so many fun memories, they joke about writing a book. “I often say, life is too short to not love what you are doing,” Kay said. She thinks it’s easy to enjoy work when surrounded by beautiful flowers every day.

Burkland Florist and Gifts is located at 311 S Rinehart St. in Effingham, near the overpass.