Cynthia Salazar has a unique outlook on the gift of flowers. “Flowers are an expression of love to one other with no obligation. Unlike something you have to store and keep, flowers are beautiful in the moment but don’t last forever.”
Salazar is the owner of Capitol Florist located on Capitol Way in downtown Olympia. I sat down with Cynthia and her daughter, Marinka, on a rainy morning to learn more about the business of providing floral joy to Thurston County residents for almost 20 years.
The site of Capitol Florist has been a flower shop since 1924 with a succession of owners until Salazar took over in 1998. Cynthia worked in greenhouses and flower shops most of her life and has always loved the beauty of flowers. She worked at a Seattle greenhouse and learned the art of arranging from an “old Finnish man.” Together they did all the hanging baskets for the City of Leavenworth, well known for it’s extravagant flower baskets each summer.
Cynthia was living in Puyallup and had her own greenhouse where she grew organic flowers to sell at local farmer’s markets. A desire for more land and a rural life brought her family to Olympia. When the downtown space became available, Capitol Florist was opened.
Running a small business meant there was no longer enough time in the day to grow her own flowers. Instead Salazar found wonderful local farms to buy her flowers during the long Pacific Northwest growing season. Each week Cynthia speaks with her vendors to find out what blooms are available from farms such as Kirsop Farms in Tumwater, Woodbine Farm in Chehalis and Independence Valley Farm in Rochester. During our rainy season, the flowers are purchased from nurseries in California and Canada with tropicals flown in from Hawaii.
Cynthia loves the nature of her business. “Sharing beauty can be an expression of love for a friend or even self-love, which is so important,” she tells me as she arranges a bouquet for a long-time client. She loves to see what the enclosure card will say. One loyal customer uses the same sentiment each time he sends flowers to his wife, the card says simply “You know what.”
The online business from the website is the largest component of her business but walk-ins and floral subscriptions are a big part of their success. A floral subscription is a weekly bouquet of flowers delivered in a vase and ready for display. Many dentists, restaurants and local attorneys use this service to provide a splash of beauty and color in their offices. Subscriptions start at $35 and can be customized to your desire and budget.
Cynthia has two year-round employees and adds additional help during the wedding season and other busy times. Her daughter Marinka shares her time between the flower shop and an internship at Wolf Haven. Both lovers of nature and beauty, they have a cooperative working relationship and will often critique each other’s work offering some friendly advice during the creation of a bouquet.
Capitol Florist has received a Best of South Sound award and Cynthia’s work can be viewed at the annual Northwest Flower and Garden show each spring in Seattle. She has also participated in the Flora and Fine Art design contest sponsored by the Tacoma Art Museum. Designers from all around the Puget Sound are invited to choose a painting or sculpture and create a floral response. The results are beautiful and inspirational which helps to keep Cynthia’s creativity flowing.
A visit to the shop is a treat for the eyes with many examples of Cynthia’s work throughout including her “Big Nests” made of materials such as kiwi or grape vines. A bouquet can be created and delivered the same day. A unique and extensive collection of cards is available to complete the perfect gift of flowers for your loved one or yourself.
Capitol Florist
515 Capitol Way South
Olympia, WA 98501
360-357-5757
http://www.capitolflorist.com
