At Bizarre Coffee, we’re all about showing love to our fellow local businesses and teaming up with incredible creatives and small business owners who make our Downtown Woodstock and Canton communities truly special. This Valentine's Day, we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Blooming with Lauren, a boutique floral design studio owned and run by the talented and passionate Lauren Youmans. With her eye for floral artistry and her love for crafting stunning custom arrangements, she's the perfect match to add a little extra charm and romance to our Valentine Drink Lineup.
Meet Lauren Youmans: The Creative Force Behind Gather & Bloom
Lauren Youmans has always had a passion for flowers, dreaming of owning her own floral shop since she was a little girl. Life initially led her into the medical field as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, but after the birth of her second daughter and some challenging personal experiences, she turned to floral design as a form of therapy. In 2022, Lauren began her journey into wedding florals and design, and her business Blooming with Lauren flourished rapidly. By November 2024, she opened her first storefront, Gather & Bloom, in the heart of Downtown Woodstock—a dream come true!
At Gather & Bloom, visitors can expect a fully stocked bloom bar with fresh florals and greenery available seven days a week. A floral designer is always on hand to create custom arrangements, and the shop also offers a cooler filled with pre-made arrangements and a rack of grab-and-go handheld bouquets. Beyond flowers, Gather & Bloom showcases products from 14 local woman-owned businesses, providing thoughtful gifts for any occasion.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Lauren herself for a brief Q&A to learn more about her background and the story behind her successful businesses!
A Conversation with Lauren Youmans:
Q: Can you share the journey that led you to start Gather & Bloom?
A: I've always been passionate about flowers and dreamed of owning a floral shop since childhood. However, life took me into the medical field, following in my dad's footsteps to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. After my second daughter was born and facing some personal challenges, I turned to flowers as therapy. In 2022, I took the leap to focus on wedding florals and design, and the business grew faster than I imagined! Although I maintain my NP and nursing licenses, I haven't practiced since 2021. Now, I'm fully dedicated to floral design, creating pieces for weddings and events. Opening our first storefront, Gather & Bloom, in Downtown Woodstock in November 2024 has been a dream come true.
Q: What can visitors expect when they walk into Gather & Bloom?
A: We offer a fully stocked bloom bar with fresh florals and greenery every day, plus a floral designer always available for custom arrangements. There's also a cooler with pre-made arrangements and a rack of grab-and-go handheld bouquets. Beyond flowers, we showcase products from 14 local woman-owned businesses, providing thoughtful gifts for any occasion!
Q: Do you have any special events or workshops coming up?
A: Absolutely! We host candle-making, painting, and floral classes every month. February is packed with Valentine's-themed workshops, like our Valentine's Coffee Mug Floral Workshop, a floral arranging and painting class, a Valentine’s Floral Workshop, and a Book Vase Floral Arranging Workshop. All the details are on our website under the workshops tab!
Q: Why did you choose Downtown Woodstock as the location for your store?
A: Before opening Gather & Bloom, I worked out of Made Mercantile on Main Street in Downtown Woodstock, a small business incubator run by the city to help businesses grow. I fell in love with the area and the community—it just felt like the perfect fit! When the city reached out about leasing a space on Main Street, I knew it was meant to be.
Q: How do you keep your creativity flowing and stay inspired?
A: Being around other creatives makes such a difference! Our team of four floral designers at Gather & Bloom love bouncing ideas off each other and trying new styles. I also enjoy experimenting with new flowers every week, bringing in unique and different varieties to keep things fresh and exciting.
Q: How did your collaboration with Bizarre Coffee come about?
A: Honestly? By grabbing coffee at Bizarre! We followed each other’s businesses, and Sabrina eventually reached out about doing designs for their storefront. I also participated as a vendor at Bizarre Bash in 2023. Sabrina even came to Made Mercantile to share her business insights with us, and I just instantly clicked with her—she’s so fun, knowledgeable, and down-to-earth.
Q: What advice would you give to someone starting their own business?
A: It all comes down to building trust and respect with your customers. No matter what you’re selling, making it about the people is key! Listen to them, understand their needs, and find creative ways to meet them where they are. Spread love and be genuine in your approach.
Q: Just for fun—what's your go-to drink at Bizarre Coffee?
A: Oh man, this is tough! I switch it up every season. I was obsessed with the Thai Tea in the fall and the Mint Mallow in the winter. I can’t wait to pick a new favorite from the Valentine menu!
Valentine's Day Promotion: Bloom & Brew Bundle
To celebrate our collaboration, we're thrilled to introduce the "Bloom & Brew" Valentine's bundle - available for pre-order now! This limited-time offer includes a stunning Gather & Bloom Flower bouquet wrapped in a mason jar and paired with a delicious Bizarre Coffee latte. It's the perfect dose of caffeination and floral goodness to share with your special someone, best friend, or even as a treat for yourself!
Pre-orders for the "Bloom & Brew" bundle are available both in-store and online. Stay tuned for all the details on how to secure yours, and be sure to follow Bizarre Coffee and Gather & Bloom on social media to stay in the loop!
