Cannon Beach Florist has moved from its downtown shop to a floral design studio. Owner/key designer Debbie Nelson continues to locally deliver fresh flowers in Cannon Beach and surrounding areas.
Nelson moved her business to the studio in the fall. Cannon Beach Florist had been in the downtown shop for over 24 years.
“I had thought about it for a few years,” Nelson said of her decision to relocate to the floral design studio.
Nelson now focuses on the flower side of the business, while leaving the retail part of the job behind. Her husband remodeled their tool shed to become her charming studio. Nelson is working the same amount of time in the studio as she did in the store and still does her own deliveries. She has extra designers who work who help on arrangements for weddings and elopements when needed.
The business is not open to the public, Nelson added, and is open by phone call and delivery only. 90 percent of the flowers have been over the phone. Her other orders come from her new floral cooler, located inside the Cannon Beach Soap and Candle Shop, located at 251 N. Hemlock St., one of the oldest buildings in Cannon Beach. The cooler has unique arrangements, rose bud vases and wraps.
Nelson said over her 24 years in this business, she has seen trends come and go. Right now, people like brightly colored arrangements.
“Red roses are always in style,” Nelson said.
Websites like Pinterest help set the trends, Nelson added. Cascade bridal bouquets have become popular. This bouquet is an arrangement of flowers that cascades from the bride’s hands, creating a trailing effect.
Nelson opened the studio Oct. 1 and made floral arrangements for four weddings a few days later. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and businesses in Cannon Beach were shut down, including her downtown shop, she had people calling, wanting to send flowers to their loved ones. She has made flower arrangements for many elopements and small weddings during the pandemic.
“This is what I do,” Nelson said of her work.
Nelson said those eloping order decorated arches. Their small weddings become a photo session to share photos to the people who could not be in attendance due to limited gatherings.
Nelson loved working downtown. She was born and raised in Cannon Beach and loved seeing people she knew pop into the store to say hello. She is still delivering in a no-touch capacity with customers. While she can do the job by herself, she misses her staff.
“I had a wonderful staff,” Nelson said of her employees at the store.
Nelson said she calls her texts her former employees and sees them every now and then. They are focused on their schooling and would not have been able to work at the store this year.
The studio is very darling, Nelson added. There is a lot of unknown with a brick-and-mortar shop and she feels she made the right decision.
Nelson loves her hometown and is the chair of the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce Sandcastle Committee. She believes in being involved in the community.
“I hope other businesses that take a step back will remember to stay involved in the community,” Nelson said.
Specific requests and signature details are filled by calling the studio, which has two coolers full of flowers. Destination wedding and elopement consultations are by appointment and email inquiry at debbie.cannonbeachflorist@gmail.com.
Order fresh flowers at 503-436-2106.
CREDIT the Source: Cannon Beach Florist thrives in floral design studio