Florist explores creativity with new venture

The floral shop in Thompson Falls has a new name and a new owner. Nanette Blakc purchased the shop at 507 Main Street and opened Farmhouse Blooms.

Blake previously sold real estate. After visiting family in Oregon, she decided to come back and thought she might settle in the Sandpoint, Idaho, area. She would come back to the Thompson Falls-Trout Creek area to see friends and volunteer at the Whitepine Grange. When the flower shop went up for sale, Blake decided to come back to the area permanently. "I journaled and prayed for something and this came up," the business owner said.

Blake recently finished a four-year herbal class about growing herbs and making herbal remedies and sustainably harvesting in the wild. She is excited to use her gardening experience at Farmhouse Blooms.

"I've always played with flowers and love being creative," Blake expressed. "I absolutely enjoy the process of doing something crafty."

Farmhouse Blooms offers a variety of fresh flowers and plants, as well as gift items. She works with a variety of flowers and can work with any budget. One thing Blake has added is a "flower bar," in the front of the store, where customers can see the fresh flowers available and pick stems for a bouquet.

"Flowers are alive. They're happy. They bring a lot of joy," Blake said. The business owner said she had many friendships bloom in her 35-year career in real estate. Now she is seeing that same progression as flowers are blooming into friendships at her new business. "I've found that little place that I can spend the next 15-20 years," she said.

Blake has one part-time employee, Noah Vold, who also worked for previous owner Courtney Dean, who had Courtney's Floral Creations for over seven years.

Blake said she loves meeting new people in her job. "Even on a sad occasion, flowers brighten the day." She offers delivery service from Trout Creek to Plains.

The biggest challenge for Blake has been learning what and how much of each variety to order, but she is adapting the longer she is open. The most popular flower is roses, of which she sells more than 100 a week.

Hollyhocks and dahlias are Blake's favorite flowers, and her dog Pearl is there with her each day in the shop to welcome customers.

Other products offered at Farmhouse Blooms include outdoor garden art, including some seasonl, sun catchers, and in the spring she will offer unique bird baths. Customers can also stop in starting next month for herbal teas. Along with dry tea for sale, Customers can purchase a cup of hot tea to enjoy in the store or take with them.

Farmhouse Blooms is open 10 a.m. - 5 :30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with and available by appointment Saturday and Sunday. Blake also has premade arrangements available in a cooler at Sanders County Harvest Foods in Thompson Falls. The phone number for the Main Street shop is (406) 827-4224.