Coriander Girl
Coriander Girl, a new interior design store in Parkdale, selling furniture, home accessories, cards and locally grown flowers, opened about a month ago.
I'd initially thought the store operated as a straightforward florist. And, having always had a healthy cynicism for florists -- what with them being the mecca for the most clichéd of occasions and all -- I just assumed that a floor full of cello-ed, scentless gladiolas was all I was missing out on.
But, a few weeks later, a friend (very uncharacteristically) presented me with an undeniably fetching concoction of bracken-y leaves, acorns and berries wrapped in paper and string. 'Coriander Girl" she said smiling, "it's great in there."
Entering the store for the first time is a bit like visiting a friend at work, mainly because the owner, Alison Westlake, is so talkative and welcoming (plus, to my surprise, she's the same age as most of my friends).
"Anything that isn't nailed down is for sale" she explains. From the tables covered with vases and potted herbs to the ancient cash register on the counter, if you like it you can make an offer for it.
Westlake grew up helping her parents renovate houses in Parkdale. The idea behind the store (which she renovated and decorated herself) was to provide Parkdale with a place where people can get fresh cut, local flowers and anything else that might fall under the bracket of 'interiors'.
As things are sold, they make room for whatever other furniture Westlake sources from antique markets, or she even leaves keeps a little open space. "I'd like to have art shows in here; this is an ideal space for them," she says. "And workshops too, I'm open to trying different things in the store".
Using retail space in such a malleable way seems like an unusual business when a lot of independent stores are moving their retail operations online and intangible assets (e.g Twitter) are move valuable than ever. But, perhaps there's a bit of a trend starting up.
Along this particular stretch of Queen, Coriander Girl fits in perfectly. It is, after all, opposite a robot shop that never opens but frequently changes its window display (Sixth) and a conspiracy theory shop (Conspiracy Culture) -- a store so self-effacing that they yukked it up on Nuit Blanche by hanging suspended, lit flashlights from their ceiling after they'd closed for the day.
Getting back to the flowers, it's interesting to see someone trying to de-stereotype the giving of flowers for people in their 20s. Even I find myself eyeing the assortment of mini cabbages, berries and red stemmed leaves that make up the arrangements on this particular day.
There are tongue in cheek mini, pre-made 'apology' bouquets for $4 (a comical nod to the main reason a lot of people visit florists) and a sign promising that a bunch of flowers can be made up for any budget.
As we're talking and I'm looking round the store, people from the neighbourhood drift in and out to say hello. Someone from the cafe across the street, Poor John's brings over brownies, and I realize that the guy/girl ratio of customers is about 50/50.
This surprises me but Alison later confirms that it's the case.
Coriander Girl has definitely changed my pre-formed opinion about anything associated with floristry. The next time I have to say sorry, I might just try doing it with flowers.
Photos by Anna Lisa Sang.
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We would like to say the article is great and also it is a breath of fresh air to see someone has so much talent and brave to open a flower shop in that area. The photos were great,what about one of the owner. Best of luck to her.
LOVE the business idea. I bet you give a lot of people decorating ideas that way that they may not have put together themselves... a great value ad for your clients. Good luck with business!!
I went into Coriander Girl mainly out of curiosity. It was really cute and charming in there! I bought a really pretty arrangement of flowers that lasted a long time. I would shop there again.
Chanced upon this place just after it opened...it is beautiful and the owner is very friendly. I am a student and always looking for affordability and she delivers on the promise to make an arrangement for any budget. It's definitely different than your average flower shop! Loved it.
This place is so pretty inside, and smells really good. Not like a flower shop at all! The owner was super nice, and though I'd just gone to look around, I was totally inspired to buy a bouquet for a male friend I was meeting up with after. I love showing up with flowers, and this could easily become my go-to place.
I really love the unique arrangements that Coriander Girl comes up with, they're classy, playful and simply gorgeous. Definitely worth checking out.
I had a first date on Friday night. I had no idea what to get, so Alison put together an amazing arangment for me. The flowers were a big hit with my date and even a bigger hit my my dates mom. Coriander Girl...you rock the Casbah.
This is my new favorite place to visit! Every week there's always something new and fresh, not the typical flowers you always see. The beautiful handmade bouquets with soft tasteful colours are so great to see and have been the new gift for my friends and for me! especially after a long week at work...this I would recommend to everyone:)
Thank you for the beautiful long lasting arrangements you have done for me. Alison sells the store - she has such a great personality and really listens to what you want. No-one can arrange flowers like you, Alison. I urge everyone in the area to drop by here.
Ursula
Thank you for the beautiful long lasting arrangements you have done for me. Alison sells the store - she has such a geat peronsality and really listens to what you want. No-one can arrange flowers like you, Alison - you have a natural talent. I urge everone in the area to derop by here.