Little House of Flowers
Linda Vista Flower Power
Hilary Bateman in front of her Little House of Flowers
During the past two years, while taking our many trips down Friars Road to Mr. Peabody’s, Del Mesa liquor store, or Kiko’s Seafood truck, I have been struck by the darling little Victorian cottage-looking structure surrounded by beautiful flowers on the corner of Friars Road and Via Las Cumbres. Looking at these flowers and this cute little house has always put me in a good mood. When my hubby actually brought me flowers from this shop, it was even better as the flowers were always beautifully arranged, fresh, and long lasting. No surprise then that Little House of Flowers was one of the first places I thought of when we decided to start writing about places and/or people in the Linda Vista area you should know about.
We recently spent some time with Hilary Bateman, owner of Little House of Flowers and put some questions to her.
WHEN DID YOU OPEN YOUR SHOP AT THIS LOCATION, AND WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THE LINDA VISTA AREA?
We opened Little House of Flowers in September 2018. I live in the neighborhood and my family has lived in the area for many years. So, the cute little house had been on my radar for a long time. It was built in 1982. It had always been a flower shop but most of the previous owners did not have it open on a regular basis. Most of the time the shop was closed up.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL THE BENEFITS ARE OF BEING LOCATED IN THIS MALL?
We love being a small neighborhood shop. Being outdoors we get to know a lot of our neighbors that are out walking their dogs or pushing strollers. People come by to stop and chat or check out the books in our neighborhood library. We love being a part of the community.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN FLOWERS AND THEIR ARRANGEMENTS?
I always had a passion for flowers and gardening. I would frequent OB Farmers Market and purchase flowers and arrange them for my home. I then started growing succulents in my yard and began creating succulent boxes which I would donate to various charities for raffle items. When I discovered the little house was available on the corner of Via Las Cumbres and Friars I jumped at the chance to bring a charming boutique flower shop to my neighborhood. I was lucky enough to be able to have Auburn Torres, an amazing floral designer, jump onboard. She turns everything at the shop into true beauty.
Floral designer Auburn Torres (left) and Hilary
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE LATEST TRENDS IN FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS? HAVE THEY CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?
Trends are always changing in design. We’ve been seeing a lot of loose and airy looking arrangements in wedding design with moody colored flowers and soft feminine textures. We’ve also noticed a combination of fresh florals with dried elements and live plants combined cohesively.
WHICH ARE THE MOST POPULAR - CUT FLOWERS OR PLANTS?
Our mixed bouquets are our best seller, definitely. We always have them fresh and ready to go and our customers know we have artfully put them together and they will last. We also sell a lot of mixed succulent arrangements in creative containers.
Mixed Bouquets always fresh and ready to go
DO YOU OFFER SPECIALS – ESPECIALLY FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS?
We offer free delivery to our neighborhood.
WE NOTICED YOU HAD SOME PUBLICITY ON LOCAL TV AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC. DID THAT HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON YOUR BUSINESS?
Definitely! A lot of our regulars were pleased to see us hanging in there and we had a lot of support from the community when we were able to open back up.
DO PEOPLE FEEL HESITANT ABOUT SHOPPING FOR FLOWERS AT YOUR LOCATION OR DO YOU THINK THEY FEEL SAFER BECAUSE IT IS OUTDOORS? WHAT PRECAUTIONS DO YOU TAKE TO ASSURE YOU AND YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAFE DURING THIS COVAD-19 CRISIS?
I think a lot of people feel more comfortable being outdoors. We have implemented sanitizing procedures and mandatory masks for our employees as well as having contactless delivery and curb-side pick up available. Some of our customers enjoy being able to just drive up and grab a bouquet or arrangement from the convenience of their car. We wipe our square payment device down with every transaction and use hand sanitizer after each customer. We also sanitize countertops and areas that our employees are in for their safety as well.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO STAY CURRENT IN YOUR INDUSTRY? ARE THERE CONVENTIONS OR OTHER ON-LINE CLASSES YOU ATTEND?
We keep up with trends by reading articles and florist publications online and have a network of other florists from all over the US that we speak with regularly.
WITH FUNERALS BEING PUT ON HOLD, HAS THAT AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS OR DO YOU FIND ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING SENT TO HOMES RATHER THAN FUNERAL PARLORS?
Some families are still doing small memorials and graveside services. People are adapting and finding ways to honor loved ones who have passed. We’ve made a good deal of sympathy vase arrangements and delivered plants to residences when a funeral wasn’t possible.
ARE YOUR CLIENTS MOSTLY WOMEN OR MEN, OR A COMBINATION?
We have a pretty even assortment of clients! And many regulars who walk by our shop with their families and dogs.
ARE ROSES STILL THE MOST POPULAR ROMANCE BOUQUET?
Yes! Red roses are always popular. We also love the Free Spirit roses 😊
Roses mean Romance
WHAT IS THE BUSIEST DAY OF THE YEAR?
Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are our busiest holidays.
As far as pricing, beautiful mixed bouquets already made up go for $20, succulent boxes from about $15, and more elaborate arrangements are of course more expensive. Hilary and Auburn will work with you to create the bouquet or floral arrangement of your dreams. Leis, corsages, boutonnieres, table centerpieces – they are all available, and will be beautiful pieces of art. The Little House of Flowers is affiliated with the Worldwide Flower Shop Network and can send flowers worldwide. Her flowers are replenished with fresh flowers every couple of days from International Flower Market in Carlsbad and other local growers. The flowers are not refrigerated.
Assortment of Succulents
Hilary and Auburn left us with a quote we will remember. “This is the happiest corner in San Diego. A liquor store, a taco truck, and a flower shop! What else could you need?” Visit the Little House of Flowers and tell them you read about them in The Linda Vista Update. And pick up a date night rose ($5) while you are at it.
LITTLE HOUSE OF FLOWERS
6090 Friars Road (corner of Friars and Via Las Cumbres)
PHONE: 619-284-5288 website: https//www.littlehouseofflowers.sd.com
Email: littlehouseofflowerssd@gmail.com
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