Putting down roots
Plant shop opens in Astoria
BY LISSA BREWER
Pacific Northwest design is
about bringing the outdoors in,
and at Variegata Exotic Plants,
the North Coast’s newest green-
ery haven, you’re invited to do
just that. Whether you’re look-
ing for low-maintenance cacti
or unique aroid varieties, you’re
sure to enjoy a visit to the space.
Opened in November by
co-owners Andrew and Marina
Frink, the shop was a passion
project. “We got really into plants
a couple years ago and just kind
of had them taking over our
house,” Andrew said.
Choosing Astoria was an
effort to put down roots of
their own. The couple made a
cross-country move from Con-
way, South Carolina, near Myr-
tle Beach, where they met while
Andrew was a graduate stu-
dent. “I’m a big fan of the Ore-
gon Coast. My grandma lived in
Newport, so I used to come out
here growing up all the time.”
Andrew said. “Marina was born
in Tacoma, so we wanted to
move back to this area with our
daughter and raise her here.”
The Uniontown shop, which
once housed a historic steam
bath, now carries a wide vari-
ety of indoor plants, from more
common varieties like aloe and
pothos to those aimed at collec-
tors. One of Marina’s favorites
in stock is the colorful Pink Prin-
cess Philodendron. “That plant
is really what drove me to pur-
sue opening the plant store,” she
said. “It was my dream plant.
When I finally bought it, it was
thriving and I was able to propa-
gate it and grow more, I thought,
‘This is something that I really
enjoy doing and could continue
doing!’”
If you’re not sure where to
begin, the couple is happy to give
advice. Whether you have five
minutes each week to mist or
are looking for a plant to spend
a lot of time with, Variegata can
help you make the right choice.
“We can make personal recom-
mendations depending on light
See Page 5
Variegata Exotic Plants
285 W. Marine Drive, Astoria
Visit www.variegataexoticplants.com or call 503-468-0150 for hours.
Lissa Brewer
LEFT: Owners Andrew and Marina Frink with their daughter and cat. RIGHT: Interior of Variegata Exotic Plants in Astoria.
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