Business - Business News

POSTED: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009

Sudden Valley flower shop growing in spite of economic times

Each week, The Bellingham Herald takes a look closer at a construction project or checks in with a business in Whatcom County. This week: Colorful Flowers of Sudden Valley.

WHATS NEW

Robert and Evette Parham's first year running a flower shop in Sudden Valley could be classified as challenging, to say the least, as they were hit hard by all the things that have made this economy difficult. Gas prices spiked soon after they started business, making delivering flower arrangements by car expensive. After the financial meltdown in the fall, December brought crippling snow followed swiftly by January flooding, causing walk-in business to drop off. Robert Parham said one of his friends recently remarked that the couple's battle with the elements sounded like the Biblical story of the plagues in Egypt.

Yet despite the challenges Robert and his wife, Evette, faced after opening Colorful Flowers three days before Valentines Day in 2008, the couple reports a robust and growing customer base. This Valentines Day, Robert said about 70 people came into the shop to buy flowers for loved ones - up about ten times above the normal amount that stop in each day. Most of the shop's business is generated by online orders.

Colorful Flowers has found a niche in the Sudden Valley area, where Robert and Evette say they have been well received by the residents happy to visit a local business.

"We had a lot of support from the Sudden Valley community," Robert Parham said. "People here expressed they love having a flower shop here. People that live here want to have services here, and if they don't support the local services, then of course they go away."

But there might be simpler reasons why Colorful Flowers has been able to weather the financial meltdown.

"I've noticed in a tough time that flowers make people feel better," Evette Parham said. "It's like a therapy - having fresh flowers - even if it's just a little bunch sitting on a table."

WHAT IS DOES

Colorful Flowers creates and sells fresh, silk and dried flower arrangements as well as other gifts like live plants, balloons, candles and candy. Evette Parham also supplies flower arrangements for special occasions, like weddings.

MARKETPLACE

People can order Colorful Flowers bouquets and other goodies in the shop or online at the florist's Web site. Flowers are also offered through online flower clearinghouses Teleflora and 1-800-FLOWERS for delivery. The shop will deliver to the Bellingham area and other towns in southern Whatcom and northern Skagit counties.

EMPLOYEES

The Parhams run the shop by themselves.

SOURCES: Robert and Evette Parham, owners of Colorful Flowers

Colorful Flowers

1941 Lake Whatcom Blvd.

Bellingham, WA 98229

734-7673

www.colorfulflorist.com

colorfulflowers@ymail.com