Family Florists, Sarasota Traditions
The Beneva Flowers story brings together two enduring legacies: one grown over decades of service in Sarasota, and the other cultivated by generations of the McCarthy family in Pennsylvania. Together, they share one mission: preserving the heart of a renown florist while nurturing its growth.
Four Generations of Pennsylvania Florists
CEO Kevin R. McCarthy's professional destiny was written long before he entered the floral industry. In 1952, his grandfather started the first Family Flowers shop near Scranton, Pennsylvania, creating the foundation for what would become a multi-generational enterprise. Kevin's father learned the rhythm of the work as he helped with the daily demands of running a florist. His mother also gravitated to the industry early, spending her formative years working for another shop, learning firsthand how much care goes into each order.
Upon finishing his studies, Kevin's father said yes to floristry, which had become an integral part his DNA. He worked in a small flower shop in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, investing long hours and days that turned the trade into his calling. Over time, Kevin and the family were able to grow into additional area locations, expanding their footprint.
As new opportunities burgeoned around them, the McCarthy family acquired other established flower shops in surrounding communities. Each one had its own people, processes, and purposes. Respecting those nuances became an important cornerstone of the brand ethos: to fortify Family Flowers while preserving the character and relationships of the shops entrusted to their care.
How Beneva Became a Sarasota Staple
As the Family Flowers story was unfolding in Pennsylvania, Beneva Flowers was born in beautiful and sunny Sarasota.
Beneva Flowers opened its doors in 1986 under the leadership of Arthur Conforti Sr. A New York native, Arthur brought decades of acumen and floral experience to Sarasota, including his time as the owner of Concourse Florist in the Bronx. His son, Art Conforti, took ownership in 1992, shepherding the shop through a formative period of growth. He built Beneva Flowers into an institution recognized well beyond the Sarasota area.
In 2016, David Shuel and his family took the reins of Beneva Flowers, mindfully piloting its course as the area's premier florist. Through thoughtful design, responsive service, and exceptional standards, Beneva Flowers became the top source for flowers and curated gifts across Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and other neighboring communities. As the shop grew, so did its offerings, from fresh flower delivery and tropical arrangements to specialty florals for weddings, events, and more. Beneva earned its reputation by helping customers mark the full range of life's occasions with beauty, care, and reliability.
A New Steward for a Sarasota Favorite
In 2026, Family Flowers welcomed Beneva Flowers into its curated community of brands. Kevin R. McCarthy, now the fourth-generation owner of Family Flowers, came of age in the floral business like his father and grandfather. Back in Scranton, Kevin's early lessons happened after the school bell rang. He swept the floors, prepped the stems, filled the water tubes, and learned the daily rhythm of the business by doing the jobs that matter. Like so many children raised in floristry, Kevin grew up knowing that success meant full coolers, long days, and the whole team stepping in where and when they were needed.
After college, Kevin returned to the the industry with a clear sense that this was where he belonged. Today, he works alongside the next generation. His parents, Brian and Erin, remain owners, while his sister Meghan amplifies the company's voice via marketing and social media. As Family Flowers has expanded, it has stayed grounded in the values that started it all: family ownership, respect for strong local teams, solid community ties, and the simple but meaningful act of sending quality flowers with care.
Carrying Beneva's Sarasota Spirit Forward
Today, Beneva Flowers serves Sarasota and the surrounding area with the dedication locals have trusted for decades. Customers turn to Beneva for everyday flowers, sympathy designs, birthday and anniversary gifts, tropicals, plants, and more, each lovingly created to mark the moments that matter.
From joyful celebrations and heartfelt thank yous to fresh starts, tributes, and rites of passage, Beneva Flowers shares care, comfort, and connection. As Beneva moves forward under the Family Flowers umbrella, it carries its trusted Sarasota stamp into the future.