Words by Elaine Wu
For Jessica Han, owner of the new Bloomsgiving in Redwood City, the concept of a hybrid florist and coffee shop sprouted from both her passion and her travels. “When I went to Japan, they had a teahouse that was a combination coffee shop and flower market,” she recalls. “When I saw that, I knew it was something I wanted to do.”
Plant care and flower arranging have been Jessica’s lifelong hobby. “It reminds me of my grandmother because, when I was younger, she had a giant yard and she grew flowers, succulents and fruit trees,” she remembers fondly. “I always loved being outdoors and gardening with her. I grew up around it but I never thought it would be a career.”
After the success of doing all the floral arrangements for her own wedding in 2014, friends started hiring Jessica to do the flowers for their weddings too. Eventually, strangers started making inquiries—which grew into a flourishing side business she ran out of her parents’ garage.
When her husband started studying abroad in Paris, Jessica quit her customer service tech job to follow him, attending floral design classes during her six months there. “My flower-arranging style is very different from a generic online florist,” she explains. “It’s a blend of Parisian, which is very fresh-picked and garden-like, and Korean style, which is more boldly colored, feminine and intentional.”
In 2022, Jessica and her husband decided to open a small brick-and-mortar shop selling plants, flowers and coffee near their home in Mountain View. It gave her the opportunity to share her combined passions with the community. Customers can pick up a custom floral arrangement or a potted plant and also order an expertly crafted lavender latte, matcha or coffee drink to go. You’ll find the menu buried behind a small forest of potted plants. “We’ve tried hard to perfect our recipes,” Jessica says. “We actually traveled to Japan to try different matchas and meet with growers. We use ceremonial-grade matcha for our hand-whisked and cold-brew drinks.”
They sourced their beans locally from Academic Coffee in San Jose. In February of 2024, Jessica opened her second Bloomsgiving location in Redwood City. The new store focuses more on creating a relaxing environment where folks can linger and relax. “I know there are other hybrid coffee shops out there, but their vibe is different,” she explains. “I’m very attracted to a peaceful, zen space where you come in and it just feels good.” A larger space than their original Mountain View location was necessary to create the right mood. “Redwood City is definitely more of a cafe space,” she says. “I wanted to do indoor seating here with plenty of plants and flowers so people can feel immersed in a serene and calming environment while being able to enjoy their beverages.”
And about those plants: You can find everything from bonsai to cacti, snake plants to succulents, tropical house plants to a small selection of grab-and-go bouquets. They also carry plant accessories and home decor.
And for plant parents who need advice? They’re here for you. “If people bought a plant elsewhere and it’s not doing too well, we can try to help them figure out what’s wrong,” Jessica explains.
Little details, like the Japanese washi tape the staff uses to seal the hot beverage cups and the little fresh flower sprigs used to decorate every drink are important to Jessica. “I’m very detail-oriented,” she says. “I feel like the difference is in the small things we do.”
As for the new neighborhood, Jessica appreciates the warm reception the shop’s received from the community. “We’re in a great location around lots of businesses and Caltrain commuters,” she notes. “But I also love Redwood City because we get a lot of locals who come check us out. They’ve been very welcoming and supportive.”
Being able to constantly improve and learn while sharing what she loves is what Jessica likes most about owning her small business. “I once overheard a customer on her phone saying our shop was her happy place. That really got me,” she recalls emotionally. “It brings me joy when we bring people joy.”
Rose Matcha Latte Ingredients 4 grams sakura matcha powder 2 ounces hot water 2 pumps rose syrup 8 ounces steamed whole milk In a large mug, whisk together the matcha powder and the hot water until there are no more clumps. Add rose syrup and mix again. Finally, pour in the steamed milk.