Photo: Courtesy of Bloompop.
At some point, you've most likely been on either the giving or receiving end of a disappointing floral delivery. Maybe you thought you were sending gorgeous peonies, but your heartbroken bestie got a vase of cheap pink carnations instead. Or perhaps you opened a (joyously large) shipping box to discover a bouquet of over-the-hill withered buds. Now, thanks to new D.C.-based tech startup Bloompop, you can rest assured that you're sending (and hopefully receiving) the most beautiful bouquets possible.
Launched on Monday, the company takes the Etsy approach to floral delivery, offering awe-inspiring bouquets from a curated selection of local, artisanal florists such as Ultra Violet, Petal's Edge, and Le Printemps. "I've always ordered flowers for friends because there's something about them that's so powerful, when you receive them," says founder Shavanna Miller. "And I'm passionate about local businesses. These local florists have been beaten up by bigger players who can run circles around them in terms of digital presence and marketing. My wheelhouse is digital marketing, so I thought this would be a great way to combine my expertise and support businesses that can't really focus on it on their own."
With a quick browse through the site, it's easy to see why Miller has fast plans for expansion — Baltimore next month, and more cities after that. The flowers are gorgeous, the photography is top-notch, and the variety — from batches of cheerful sunflowers to artsy groupings of succulents — will suit anyone who wants to do more than click-and-buy. The site lets you browse by occasion, color, specific flower types, and price, and the arrangements range from $69 to $129. For now, delivery is limited to the District, northern Virginia, and parts of Montgomery County, but Miller says she's working on expanding Bloompop's local network. Personally, we're smitten — and we may never take the big-box route again.