EVERETT, Wash. — For three generations, Stadium Flowers in Everett has marked life's big moments with blooms.
"We've been around since 1946,” said owner Adam Van Winkle.
It started out as Stadium Market — owners Dorie and Elaine Ransick always carried something more in their grocery store.
"She always had fresh flowers in the shop, you see the gladiolas here at the cash counter,” explained owner Darla Van Winkle, pointing to a black and white photo of a market festooned with flowers.
That habit blossomed into what Stadium Flowers is today: two retail locations and a wholesale warehouse – Cascade Floral Wholesale – delivering fresh flowers from around the world to Western Washington. You can even buy them in bulk at the wholesale facility in Everett.
This family flower empire has passed through generations, today it's owned by husband and wife team Darla Van Winkle and Adam Van Winkle — the grandson of the original owners.
Their secret to running a business and a marriage? One guess.
“Give each other flowers,” Adam said.
“Yeah. And half the time he makes them himself. He'll go down and put something together and bring them home. So it's wonderful,” Darla said.
For decades they've delivered flowers for births, funerals and for all of life's milestones in between.
“The flowers themselves are so emotional to many people,” said Adam. “And so it's really special that if you want to say 'I Love You' or 'Happy Birthday,' or offer condolences, that you're able to do that from anywhere in the world.”
“One of my favorite things is just our relationship to the community,” said Darla. "We have customers that come and say, you know, my grandparents bought their wedding flowers from you.”
Today, we're honored to give them a special delivery. The news that viewers voted them the Best Florist in the Best of Western Washington 2024.
The framed plaque may not be as pretty as a big bouquet of roses, but it's proof the community supports this family that's supported them with flowers for all these years.
"Without them, we're not here. So, we thank them for embracing us,” Darla said.
KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email.