(Image: Flowers for the People)

By Calvin Jay Emerson/UW News Lab

Something new is blooming in Pike/Pine as Flowers for the People, a design-it-yourself bouquet boutique, has opened in the former home of the neighborhood apothecary.

Owner Mick Payment has been selling flowers for the last 12 to 13 years, but his love of flora goes back much further. He grew up in his mother’s flower shop, Bloomer’s, a local staple on Downtown Bellevue’s main street. His mom’s positive influence is what inspired the creation of his own store, which he sees as a continuation of the family business.

“I have this painting of her original shop, I want to put it up soon,” Payment says. “She’s like, you know, she set such a precedent for me. I didn’t completely redo things. I’ve just kind of kept what’s worked and made it more accessible.”

When Payment was creating his own identity as a florist, he wanted to address issues of transparency. He has seen other floral businesses be vague about their pricing, leaving customers with unwelcome surprises at the register. So, in response, he came up with a new concept that gave customers more freedom and control over what they ultimately buy.

Customers can choose the size of their bouquets, from Mini to ‘Luxe, then customize the bouquet to their liking, making choices one floral stem at a time. The mini bouquets have been the most popular, as visitors hesitantly experiment with his process, then end up having fun creating their own colorful combinations. For now, Flowers for the People is a strictly offline operation. Stop in to make a bouquet.

He also decided after the pandemic to move Flowers From The People from Bellevue to a new home on Capitol Hill. His business depends on foot traffic, and he hopes that being within a popular neighborhood, close to neighbors who sell luxury goods like Le Labo and Glossier will bring more people through the front door.

“Unlike downtown, where it’s still a little touch and go, this Hilltop seems to remain more intact,” says Payment.

The new flower shop is bringing positive vibes to what had been a transcendent space in neighborhood retail. CHS reported here on the exit of Capitol Hill apothecary SugarPill from the block.

Flowers for the People is hopefully a sign of rejuvenation for this stretch of E Pine between Broadway and 12th. Recent nearby challenges include the temporary closure of SIFF Egyptian, the shutdown of The Rhino Room, the end of running wear retail at Fleet Feet, and the planned closure of the Century Ballroom in 2025.

The loss of these community spaces hurts. Payment’s new store shows there will be new spaces flowering as small business owners fill in the gaps and keep Capitol Hill blooming.

“I feel like a flower shop is a very special place,” Payment says. “It’s not something you can really participate in through the internet. You have to come in and experience it.”

Flowers For the People is now open on 900 E Pine. Follow @flowersforthepeople for more.

The Journalism and Public Interest Communication News Lab at the University of Washington gives advanced journalism students an opportunity to build a dynamic clip portfolio by reporting for any of 70 client news outlets in the greater Seattle area. CHS is proud to work with young journalists and feature their work.

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