New weekly outdoor market helping grow local flower industry

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - A new weekly outdoor market has just opened up with the purpose of helping grow the local flower industry in San Luis Obispo County.

The recently created SLO Flower Collective debuted its "Flower Market" last week at the historic Dallidet Adobe in downtown San Luis Obispo.

"We just started this a week ago, but it's been in the works for a few months now," said Wild Canyon Flower Farm grower Carrie Collins. "The idea behind the market is to have a hub for growers to come bring our flowers, to sell to florists, to sell to retail customers. It's kind of a one stop shop. Instead of going to a farm in Paso (Robles), a farm in Templeton or AG (Arroyo Grande), you'd come to in one spot, and be able to shop, and so we just thought it would be an amazing space to do it in."

Collins, along with other local growers, have formed the SLO Flower Collective, a group of small-size flower growers in the county who have joined forces to help promote their businesses.

"We're kind of are mimicking another collective that's in San Jose," said Collins. "There's actually collectives all over the United States, but nothing was being done around here, so we definitely wanted to bring that to the Central Coast, and from what we've heard, it's been something needed by florists and people in the wedding industry and stuff, so we're excited."

The market is held each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and features a wide variety of colorful freshly cut flowers that are available to be purchased on a retail or wholesale basis.

"I love it," said customer Alexandra Bernal after purchasing several flowers. "I think it's absolutely beautiful. I love being able to pick and arrange my own flowers and just supporting the local vendors. I think it's it's extremely important. I appreciate my money going where I live and where my family lives and hope to continue to do so."

Currently, the market has been created on a small-scale basis with five women-owned businesses all taking part.

"We're doing retail and florists," said Candlestick Cove Flowers grower Eden Theule. The florists get a wholesale discount, but we're open to everyone. I think it will be also really great for, DIY (Do It Yourself) brides or people doing, bridal showers, baby showers, anything where they might want a little bit extra flowers that they can't find at the grocery store."

The goal is to expand the market into a larger operation that would include additional local growers, all with the idea of supporting small, independent businesses.

"For this season, we'll be sticking to the five just for this growing season," said Collins. "Come next season, we're going to be adding some more farmers. We do have some people interested that we think would be a good fit too, so we're really excited to expand and bring in more growers and bring more product."

Collins added now that the flower market has been established, it will really help cultivate additional business for all of the growers who take part.

"For a lot of us, this is going to be our number one avenue for selling our stuff," said Collins. "Some of us have a little farm stands and others have farm carts and some retail spots, but this will be the number one spot that will be bringing all of our all of our stuff to."

The SLO Flower Market is held each Thursday at the Dallidet Adobe and Gardens, which is located at  1185 Pacific St. in San Luis Obispo.

For more information about the SLO Flower Collective and the Flower Market, click here for the group's Instagram page.

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