For florist Stephanie McKinley, things are coming up bright roses… and daisies and daffodils too. As the vibrant owner of Steel Bloom Flowers in Bend, McKinley holds fragrant court over her eclectic Mill Quarter store, an abundant love of flowers and all things beautiful guiding her way.
“Next month is our one year anniversary,” she said. “I opened back last February but I’ve been in Bend since 1995. I’ve had a passion for flowers since I was a little girl, decorating and designing and so it kinda all goes together. When I wanted to go back to work I tried to figure out what would be a fun thing to do and so thought a flower shop would be cool. I’d always done flowers and arrangements for my friends and parties and school functions so it was a natural extension of that.”
McKinley and her husband owned a mix-use commercial building in the Mill Quarter area and when tenants moved out and it came available they decided to move in and opened for business, petals and all.
“It’s a great location, especially when you already own the building and so it makes it easy. Valentines Day was our opening day. We do weddings, corporate events and flower arrangements for local business accounts like banks, hotels and realty offices. I’m a full service florist than can accommodate any custom needs and situations, from boyfriends getting in trouble to special girlfriend birthday luncheons.”
Steel Bloom wishes to distinguish itself in the floral industry as a place where anyone can come in, browse her colorful inventory and purchase a small bouquet or artistic gift for any occasion. The number of established retail florists in town did not dissuade her from realizing her dreams.
MIX OF INDUSTIRAL & VINTAGE
“I have my own particular style here,” she admitted. “The shop decor is a wild mix of both industrial and vintage. I collect tons of vintage glass, pottery and ceramic vases which is really fun because I use them in arrangements and try to not be ordinary or run-of-the-mill for my customers. We even offer other types of containers like antique sugar creamers, trophies, baby cups. I even have a little collection of cups and saucers. Anything I see that has “50th Anniversary” on it, I’ll buy it. I’m a big antiquer.”
All flowers are beautiful to McKinley and her imagination is her only limit when it comes to distinctive designs and creative concoctions.
“There’s not one flower I think is ugly or wouldn’t use. I even like carnations,” she joked, hinting at other florists’ particular disdain for the common bloom. “I’m easy going and will do whatever anyone wants, always putting my own individual stamp on my
floral creations.”
McKinley was born in Germany and grew up spending summers in Europe where her love of flowers was first cultivated and grew.
“The European attitude about flowers is still very traditional and infused into their daily lifestyle. No one would ever think of going over to someone’s house for coffee, tea or casual dinner without a small bouquet. It would be bad manners to go empty handed. There’s was even a flower shop in Paris that stays open every night until eleven. That’s how integral flowers are in their lives and culture which I really love.”
Last Spring when she was in Europe, McKinley paid close attention to flower shops and outdoor produce markets.
“Flowers make everything brighter and more special,” she said. “That’s why this is such a great business because you’re selling something that makes people smile. Many of my arrangements use natural stuff I find around here – twigs, berries, stones and lichen. I try to incorporate that into my designs, tossing in random materials to make it interesting and fun.”
Steel Bloom buys most of their flowers from wholesalers in Portland. That’s where vast fields of bountiful blooms are grown during the warmer months, flowers like tulips, roses and dahlias.
“I purchase flowers two ways,” she explained. “Some at online auctions by a company out of Canada but mostly from the Portland Flower Market, which consists of different flower wholesalers. There are some who specifically do business in orchids or roses and some can get me anything I want. You develop a relationship with certain suppliers and use them as your main source. They know what I like and know my style. Honestly, I try to not overbuy and don’t do FTD or Teleflora orders so I don’t need to have a huge supply on hand. I do have a full cooler and know once they’re out of the cooler they will last a long time. That’s one thing I pride myself in is their longevity due to the way I process them so they drink water instantly once they’re cut.”
McKinley’s leftover flowers are taken to nursing homes, friends and typically places where people will get some enjoyment out of them.
“I usually don’t end up with too many left over. Flowers are expensive, even for me to buy wholesale. Business has been good. A lot of my customers are by word of mouth. Luckily, I haven’t had to do much advertising yet and it’s been steady. I’ll be doing some weddings this summer and already have a few lined up and pay great attention to detail. Believe me, it doesn’t go out unless it’s perfect.”
When asked what her favorite flower is to receive, she pauses for a moment and laughs.
“Well, I love dahlias and ranunculus, boldly colored with small, delicate petals. Colors? I love pink but also white. My preferences change all the time and are highly seasonal. My daughter sometimes comes in and raids my cooler but that’s one drawback about owning a flower shop – I don’t get flowers anymore, which is unfortunate.”
Steel Bloom Flowers, 616 NW Arizona Ave., Bend, 541-312-3030.
