Changing Seasons opens a retail space, expands its wares well beyond flowers.

Even with what its owner calls a “secret garden location,” Changing Seasons Island Florist drew some 150 islanders to a recent grand opening in its first-ever retail space.

Customers just kept coming. And it wasn’t just for flowers.

“I can’t believe I have had this much success,” owner Bethany Shippen said of her inviting shop, wedged between Bagels & Beans and the UPS store on High School Road. “People heard about it from friends. I’ve already had to reorder from 10 places.”

Shippen deliberately chose a location away from downtown. She and her brother, a woodworking wizard, transformed the former bicycle shop into a space that she believes successfully melds a “downtown feel with a nice upscale shopping environment, with parking.”

Changing Seasons, Shippen believes, emits an “urban potting shed look,” yet showcases merchandise that eschews kitsch and won’t break the bank. She seeks out regional craftspeople and small companies that do good works.

Stylish Womanswork work gloves are made by and for women. Ten percent of each sale of East African clay pottery made by the Luo tribe goes to the African Schools Trust and charity.

A couple in Oregon make up the heady batches of potpourri, while Bite Me Chocolates hail from North Bend.

Taken together, Shippen has assembled an eclectic mix of gift and home décor items that range from antique rice baskets to vases and soaps to works by local artists and Snuggle Bunny baby bibs.

Even the line of unscented candles – in three shapes, no less – is impressive.

“I shop for quality and value,” says Shippen, an island resident for 16 years. “I have always worked. My friends have always worked. I wanted a place where you could give a little something to your friend.”

Shippen parlayed her flair for design into a previous Bainbridge floral business that she operated out of her Fletcher Bay home for seven years. Before that, she worked for Dwight’s flowers on Winslow Way, and most recently, at Safeway.

Although Shippen set out to offer customers more than flowers and plants at Changing Seasons, she continues to provide service to her custom floral fan base.

Among her corporate clients are Wing Point Golf and Country Club and John L. Scott Real Estate, as well as medical and law offices and restaurants.

She creates designs for funerals and bar and bat mitzvahs, as well as residential clients who desire regular deliveries of fresh flowers with seasonal containers or special vases. Balloon bouquets and an array of green, blooming and exotic plants are available, too.

“I tried to return to the fact I’m a floral shop,” says Shippen, who provides complimentary consultations for weddings.

Expanding on this “floral flavor,” Shippen stocks foam, floral knives, wire and tape and dispenses advice for the DIY-ers.

The shop always has pre-made bouquets and will do custom ones, Shippen says, and will take special orders for parties.”

Shippen uses cut flowers that are in season, selling them by the bunch or the stem. But she shuns carnations and baby’s breath, subscribing to the theory that “filler” is not better.

Her classes already are making a name for themselves. Coming up is the chance to craft a fresh cranberry wreath that Shippen says will last the whole holiday season.

Some classes will feature guest instructors; Shippen will design other classes by special request for groups.

“My whole business is based on creativity,” she said. “I want people to walk in, stop and go, ‘Wow!’”

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Flower power

Changing Seasons Island Florist is located in the Village shopping center on High School Road. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 9:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Call 842-1141 for the extended holiday hours and to pre-order wreaths and garlands. Delivery is available throughout Bainbridge, Poulsbo and Suquamish. See www.changingseasonsflorist.com for more information.