LOCAL: Brands, Businesses + Entrepreneurs | #32 | Thistle Floral + Home
Kitsap is full of incredible brands, businesses, and entrepreneurs who make LIVING in Kitsap a fun adventure.
Editors Note: In the early part of 2023, Shannon, the owner of Thistle Floral + Home suddenly passed away, leaving behind a devastated community. We were touched to see a new floral team - The Flower Box - step up and take over her beautiful shop, continuing a piece of the legacy she left behind. This interview remains on our site as a tribute to Shannon, her family, the downtown Kingston community, and the memories made at Thistle Floral + Home. Enjoy!
Thistle Floral + Home
Shannon Castillo, Owner
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Shannon found her place in a floral shop on the north end of the Kitsap Peninsula. Thistle Floral + Home allows her to combine her love for her family + community with a multi-generational business mindset and has become a favorite among the locals in downtown Kingston for those very reasons.
Pro Tip: Thistle Floral is the PERFECT spot to order your Valentine’s Day floral!
About shannon
What was your first job?
“Helping my mom at Flowers to Go in Silverdale over 30 years ago (unpaid). My first paying job was making the McDonalds fries at the Kitsap Mall when they first opened.”
Where do you draw inspiration/creativity in your life?
“Nature...I find it in all the wild and fun crazy plants we have around us!”
About thistle floral + home
How did the idea of starting Thistle Floral + Home begin?
“I used to be the manager at our local Curves For Women--a very long time ago. I got to know a lot of great women in the community. One of the members was opening a new flower shop and she invited me to work for her. I had a little bit of a background in floral but I have an even better background in customer service.
During this time my stepdad suddenly passed away and my mom moved in with my family. She was the perfect fit for the flower shop. She had been a florist most of her life. She was amazing! She did a lot of work in Southern Cal- Disney, The Oscars, personal florist for quite a few celebrities, etc. I had to drag her into the shop kicking and screaming because she wanted to be "retired". But, I just wouldn't take no for an answer. I knew she needed to have something fun to do, and knowing that we would be working together, she decided to join me at the shop. We made a great team! After about 2 years of working at the shop, the owner decided to sell. I do believe that she started the shop with the intent to sell. Kingston is a small town and has a wonderful group of community members who are always trying to build up the downtown area and she is one of them!”
The Genesis
Tell us the story of how Thistle Floral + Home came to fruition.
“The previous owner offered the shop to us first and it was a no-brainer. We knew what we needed to do, and my mom and I decided to take over. It was previously named Nancy's Green Garden (the previous owner was Nancy). We kept that name for a little bit - but everyone kept calling us both Nancy, so, it had to go! At this time, my daughter was going to WSU and I would drive back and forth to visit. I would always see the thistles on the side of the road. They were so tall, strong, and pretty (weeds are always the strongest, it seems). I thought "Thistle" would be a great shop name if we focused on both flowers and outside garden plants. We also carry quite a bit of locally made goods and hand-crafted items from all over the USA. There are lots of vintage resale and fun funky pieces, I’m changing things. I like to keep it fresh (pun intended).”
The Drive
Tell us what/who drives you to keep working hard towards your goals.
“Quite honestly, I am afraid of failure and willing to keep pushing to make sure that never happens. *wow, think I may need therapy for that* But I LOVE what I do! That is what keeps me going everyday. My shop is my happy place.”
Love Kitsap
Tell us your fave local drink spot - coffee, tea, wine, tequila, whatever!
“For coffee, I love Cup & Muffin (also their sandwiches!) everything is amazing!
For wine, I love the versatile selection of wines at D'Vine Wine, and they also have yummy food too.”
Tell us your fave local spot for a comfort meal - what do you always order?
“Sully’s in Suquamish is where it’s at! I always order their fish and chips.”
Live Kitsap
Out-of-town guests are coming for the weekend. What is the most important thing you share with them about the Kitsap Peninsula? Where do you absolutely have to take them?
“Point No Point (Hansville) and Heronswood Gardens are two of my favorite places to show off to our guests, both are beautiful!”
Tell us about a favorite small business you love.
Again, so many local businesses to love in Kingston! The Poulsbo area of North Kitsap certainly gets a lot of deserved media attention. But I feel Kingston and Hansville have some of the sweetest little spots, like MakW Design, Sweet Life Cakery, D'vine Wine, Cookie Creations, and of course the Firehouse Theater.”
Thrive in Kitsap
Where are your favorite places to get outside? What do you do when you go?
“There are so many great outdoor spots on the Kitsap Peninsula, but keeping it close to home - I love Heritage Park and the Buck Lake Trails for hiking/walking. And if you’re looking to get out on the water, Appletree Cove + Liberty Bay are a couple of my favorite spots to put my kayak in.”
our connections + friendships with local brands, businesses + entrepreneurs is something that makes living in kitsap truly unique. we aren’t just supporting a business, we’re building relationships.
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