A place to hangout: New business mixes coffee, flowers, events

By Dixon Bledsoe

When Joyce Church and her family decided to open up a business in charming, historic downtown Silverton, it wasn’t a tough decision, even in an unpredictable economy.

“The building was perfect, it is on Main Street, the people here are wonderful, and the community is amazing,” she said.

Church owns Stone Creek Café and Branches and Blooms, a floral shop, in downtown Silverton with her husband of 32 years, Ron, daughter Kindel Wang, and son-in-law, Bill Wang. Daughters Jillian Hage and Brittney Haynes also are part of the family business, with Jillian serving as head florist and Brittney managing the coffee shop.

Stone Creek Café is associated with the famous Stumptown Coffee, and that is a major win for the family.

“This coffee shop and floral/wedding shop is a bright spot in downtown Silverton. Having Stumptown coffee and roasting involved is a real coup for a little town,” customer Chris Devito said.

The concept is a good one, given the general nature of opening a business in a small town with a limited local base, plenty of competition, and a seasonal influx of tourists. As a Stumptown coffee shop and a pastry shop, it offers gourmet pies, cakes, and “other irresistibles” by Kelly’s Kitchen (Kelly Rice, owner). Having a wedding? Need a planner? Photographer? Musician? Venue? Not a problem for Branches and Blooms. They are prepared to coordinate full events in several different states including Oregon, Washington, California, and New York or simply provide the flowers for a wedding at the beautiful Oregon Gardens or historic Edward Adams B&B on South Water Street. They are a FTD florist. They work with a bevy of professionals, including professional photographer Paul Rich.

The wedding component gives the beautifully renovated building at 204 East Main a whole new dimension – flowers for events of every occasion from funerals to graduations, weddings to anniversaries.  The opening of the business created jobs for 12 people, not including the Church clan.  A building years-vacant is now a thriving, beautifully appointed shop that includes a full basement for cutting and arranging flowers, a main floor that is appealing to customers, and a 2,100 square foot attic that now serves as a loft apartment for Ron and Joyce’s new home with their labrador, Bentley.

What’s in store for the business that has been open less than a month? There is a plan to offer savory and sweet crepes made fresh by Cindy Schaeffer, music at events and First Fridays, and adding jobs as the business grows.

When asked about business so far,  Joyce is quite pleased, as is Ron.

“It is much better than I could have hoped for,” Ron said.  Joyce adds, “We were absolutely swamped at December’s First Friday and gave out over 500 coffee samples and cookies. With live music, we were loaded with people after the Christmas tree lighting, and we hope to continue periodic live music at future First Fridays.”

As for the wedding business, Joyce could not be happier.

“We had three scheduled before we opened, booked five more while under construction, and now have four more. Twelve events are wonderful, and we are doing the full gamut – some events are flowers only, some are full scale. With our on-line service and web presence, we can set up events everywhere. I am doing one in New York and most of the work has been done electronically, with me having only a few on-site visits,” Joyce said.

A bride-to-be can come in, have coffee while planning her entire wedding, or simply choosing the flowers for it on high definition monitors, Joyce said.

One of the things Joyce stresses is the hope that the gourmet coffee and goodies will serve as an attraction to people, and especially kids, so they come in after a sporting event, dance, movie, or just to hang out. That is why the shop is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. “

“There is nowhere for kids to go, and we want them to come here. Our kids grew up here so we know what it is like. We want to work with them on fundraising ideas and we want to support this community that we grew up in and love,” she said.

Michael Funrue is excited to be part of the new business. The young Silverton man and “barista” served up a perfect Butterscotch latte while discussing his employers.

“Ron and Joyce are two of the nicest people you will meet. You could not ask for kinder employers – the best in the world,” he said.

Joyce offers employment to a wide range of people, from those who wish to work one day a week to high school kids and mothers wanting a part-time job. But she looks for one type of employee. “People who work here, or will work here, have to have a good personality, love working with people, and they must have a great work ethic.”

Kindel and Bill Wang handle a lot of the business part of the operation from New York, including marketing, and managing the books and technology, but Joyce is the day-to-day person making sure everything runs on all cylinders.

The youthful grandmother of six grandchildren knows a thing or two about weddings – she has been involved with them for 30 years.

With her business savvy and expertise, she knows how to make an event fun and memorable. Even if it’s just getting a cup of coffee.