By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Violet North East, known by the locals as Violet’s Flower Shop, is building on its European flair and ambience with the addition of an Italian espresso bar, complete with Italian chocolates and cookies.
“We’ve had the espresso for floral customers for a while, free with purchase — buy a little pick-me-up bouquet and get a “pick-me-up” espresso free,” says shop owner Violet Bomers.
Last Saturday, the shop in the art deco building at Union Avenue and Crescent Street introduced its permanent espresso bar for floral customers and anyone interested in a shot or two. The free with purchase offer still stands.
“We have just espresso, with or without sugar — the true Italian experience,” Bomers says. “And now we have a tall table in the middle of the store where you can stand and have your espresso. You can walk in and smell the flowers and the espresso.”
Bomers says she’s in love with Italy, evidenced by the espresso bar, the artsy Alessi espresso machine and the store's Italian themes.
“The shop is a magnet for the Europeans that move here,” Bomers adds. “We get all the transplants that move to Grand Rapids because they move to Heritage Hill where it’s so walkable. They find us and we’re such a small flower boutique they become comfortable and then they become friends, which is why we call it Friends Espresso Bar.”
Violet’s still specializes in cut flowers and arrangements. The shop is open Monday through Saturday, including Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day and New Years Day.
Source: Violet Bomers, Violet North East
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]
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