SEATTLE RENT INCREASE FORCES INNOVATION BY FLORIST

Upon expiration of their current lease, local flower shop R. David Adams was shocked at their new lease proposal, which called for an almost doubling of their rent.

Current owner Robert “Bud” Gulbranson recalls, “I was dumbfounded. For a small business this was not an option.”
Just over the last year the Seattle area has lost a number of good flower shops, for much the same reason. Long respected for offering the best service and finest flowers, florists have been cornerstones of our communities for many years.

But over the last 5 years the market has been changing. With the growth of online order gathers and the increasing floral presence in the supermarkets, florists have had a tough time. Add the increasing rents in Seattle and it boils down to innovate or die.

For R. David Adams Flowers, that means innovate.

After considering their options, they are converting to a floral studio. This means they will no longer have a walk-in retail operation. Instead, they will be working out of a closed space on East Cherry, taking orders by phone and through their websites, and delivering the finished product. This model has been prevalent for a number of years in high rent areas like New York and San Francisco.

Their decision has met with very emotional feedback.

“I’ve had people crying. Not even ones I thought were that attached to the shop. It’s touching people on levels I never realized.” Bud. “There has also been anger and confusion as to why leasing companies don’t realize that it’s the amenities like flowers that make their buildings special.”

But the overall reaction has been positive. “People have been so supportive. They’re sad to see us go, but excited that we’re still able to do their flowers for them. As for the shop: After 15 years of operating a retail location, it’s going to be nice to concentrate on what I love…making flower arrangements.”

R David Adams Flowers will begin working out of their new studio location February 5th and are busy preparing for Valentines’ Day.

You can reach them online at www.RdavidAdams.com.

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If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Robert Gulbranson, please call Peter Lumbert at 206/550-7098 or email Peter at PR@RDAflowers.com