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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2018)
FEBRUARY 15, 2018 // 13 Readers’ Choice Awards BEST GARDEN CENTER BEST FLORIST BLOOMIN’ CRAZY FLORAL BRIM’S FARM & GARDEN ASTORIA Runner-up: Erickson Floral Company, Astoria Honorable mention: Artistic Bouquets & More, Seaview ASTORIA Runner-up: Basketcase Greenhouse, Long Beach Honorable mention: Dennis’ 7 Dees, Seaside By RYAN HUME D By RYAN HUME W ell, it has happened again. The country feel and top-notch customer service of Brim’s Farm & Garden has won over Coast Weekend readers once more, handing them their 10th award for Best Garden Center in as many years. This family-owned feed and garden operation is tucked away on the U.S. 101 Business loop, south of the Old Youngs Bay Bridge and just before the turnoff onto Lewis and Clark Road. Mike and Linda Brim opened the business on March 6, 1986, as primarily a feed store, though they also sold apples and berries, too. Interest in becoming the North Coast’s premier garden center didn’t arise until 1995 when Linda quit her day job. “I went back to school,” she said. Taking classes at Portland State University and running through Oregon State Ex- tension’s Master Gardener class a number of times gave Linda the expertise to build up a garden stock and green- house specific to the needs of land adjacent to the coast and river. Brim credits their success to the knowledge of the owners and staff. “The ability to come in and ask face to face, ‘How do I do that?,’” Linda said, is RYAN HUME PHOTO Linda Brim co-owns Brim’s Garden Center with her husband, Mike Brim a powerful motivation for repeat business. The Brims also know their clientele. “Most of our customers have a rural, self-sustaining mindset,” she said. For this reason, Brim’s stocks plenty of non-GMO vegetable seeds and starts and carries enough high-quality feed on site to keep Noah’s Ark sustained for at least a few days. Whether cattle, alpaca or calicos are your thing, Brim’s stocks the feed they need. They also carry a wide array of fencing. Now that Spring is on its way, expect live poultry to appear soon. Young chicks have just arrived, ducks will return around Easter and tur- keys, too, are on their way. With more than 30 years of excellence under their belt, know that whatever you need for your yard or farm, Brim’s can help. CW Thank you for voting us your favorite! iane Berry, owner of Bloomin’ Crazy Flo- ral on Commercial Street in downtown Astoria, refers to her quaint little shop squeezed into the east- ern corner of the Sanborn Building as “a continuing work of art.” Coast Weekend readers certainly seem to agree, having fallen in love once again with Berry and staff’s arrangements and evolving aesthetic, honoring Bloom- in’ Crazy Floral with anoth- er Readers’ Choice Award for Best Florist. Berry has been working in the floral business in the Columbia-Pacific region since 1975, but she did not set out on her own until opening Bloomin’ Crazy Florist in November 2009. “We started out with plants, flowers and a few gifts,” she said. Today the shop has ex- panded to include clothing, jewelry, tchotchkes and ceramics. Berry also recently installed a blind built of reclaimed wood from a local barn due to be razed, which separates the interior of the shop from the elaborately curated display window facing Commercial Street. Though, even as this “work of art” continues to grow new limbs, the focus remains on crafting unique flower arrangements and bouquets for all manners of events and holidays. They deliver, too. Bloomin’ Crazy has also proven to be a good neighbor in the Astoria Downtown Historical District, opening their doors during Second Saturday Art Walks to showcase the talents of local artists and RYAN HUME PHOTO Diane Berry, owner Bloomin’ Crazy Floral jewelry makers. But how to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate the needs of your custom- ers? “I spend a lot of time on the internet looking at arrangements when I should be doing housework,” Berry said. “We follow trends and try to have our own distinc- tive look.” Berry is constantly searching out new suppliers and available products. She often works with a wholesale supplier in Swan Island in Portland. “Every Friday I ask, ‘What do you have that is fun and funky and afford- able?’” CW COASTER THEATRE PLAYHOUSE Thank You! Your voting for us is greatly appreciated! February 2-24, 2018 Tickets $20 or $25 Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday shows start at 3:00p.m. Sponsored by Mike & Tracey Clark 243 11th Street, Astoria, OR 197103 503-325-1787 1198 Commercial St. Astoria, OR 97103 503-975-5305 of Tickets: 503-436-1242 or coastertheatre.com 108 N Hemlock Street, Cannon Beach, OR
