Coming Soon! Bloom at the HIVE MARKET
There was a time when I thought creativity was something you grew out of — something replaced by strategy, spreadsheets, and meetings when you graduate and climb the corporate ladder in your “real job.” It’s easy to push those interests aside as “hobbies,” little things that don’t quite fit into the schedule of success from a finance perspective.
But lately, I’ve realized creativity and the artist inside never really leaves you. It waits quietly — patient, steady — for the moment you return to the path you were always meant to live.
I can still remember helping out at a little west side flower shop in high school. It was one of those places that seemed to bloom from the inside out — crowded with flowers, plants, and all things Tom. He was the owner, always smiling, always in motion, always creating. On holidays, the shop would spill over with roses, carnations, and the laughter of everyone helping — and listening as Tom named every stem out loud, adding fun facts about each bloom.
One afternoon, he handed me a bundle of stems and said, “You got it, kid — an eye for design. Go for it.” I was so excited to play florist, so proud of what I created, and completely filled with happiness as he yelped with delight — “It’s beautiful, I love it!” — before placing it right in the front of his shop for sale.
That small gesture stayed with me. I loved the rhythm of that shop — the creative mess, the smell of fresh blooms, the joy of making something by hand. Maybe that’s why I find myself here again, all these years later, surrounded by color, texture, and imagination — creating something that feels both new and deeply familiar.
The Hive Market: My Little Tinker Shop
Somewhere along the way, the Hive Market became more than a store. It became my tinker shop — a gathering place for all the hobbies that once overtook our suburban home. Finally, a space where I could express, create, and share experiences again — while rediscovering my passions (and yes, formalizing a business plan along the way— under normal circumstances, this happens first).
It’s becoming a place where ideas take shape, where every shelf tells a story, and where other artists can find a home for their work. As we continue construction, add new inventory, and build new spaces that reflect how we’re evolving, the Hive Market continues to organically take shape from the vision right alongside us.
That creative spark — the one I thought I’d lost — has returned with full force. And now, I can’t stop dreaming, designing, or building what’s next.
The Next Chapter: Bloom Flower Shop
As we begin designing our floral offerings, keep an eye out — starting November 1, you may just catch one of our grab-and-go arrangements in the shop as a preview of what’s to come. Consider it a first glimpse into the future of the Hive Market — where art, celebration, and community continue to grow together.
In a world that moves fast, our intention is to slow down and enjoy the moments — to build something that values connection over speed, and craftsmanship over mass production. We’re often told our products could grow rapidly, expand to more stores, and scale in ways that sound impressive on paper—and the proof is in the rapid knock off our our product idea. But I hold on to the belief that sometimes less is more.
There is beauty in small-batch, high quality, personalized creations — in products that carry a sense of exclusivity as they pass from artist to customer. Each one tells a story, built by hand and shared (or sipped) with heart.
We want the Hive Market to be a destination — a place people come to experience creativity, community, and care. We want to see our neighborhood grow, not just in numbers, but in connection and beauty. Because yes, we could chase the version of “rich” that fills bank accounts, but we know true wealth lives elsewhere — in the experiences we create and the relationships that bloom along the way.
We can’t wait to share the transformation with you — to invite you behind the scenes as we design, paint, and prepare to open the doors to Bloom at the Hive Market.
Because this next chapter isn’t just about flowers.
It’s about rediscovering joy.
About honoring where we’ve been — and blooming into what’s next.
It's never too early to think about Valentine's day, instead of just chocolate think Blooms and Booze with one our or flower arrangements and our signature Hive Craft Cocktail infusion kits sold exclusively at the Hive Market.
Cheers! xoxo
Melissa (and Ken)