Catherine Somers, former executive director of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, recently opened Centerpiece Floral Shop in downtown Los Gatos. “I always wanted to work for a Chamber of Commerce and have a flower shop,” she says. (Photo by Laura Ness)
For Catherine Somers, her job as executive director of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce was the culmination of a long-held dream. After leaving the Chamber earlier this year, Somers is fulfilling yet another dream.
“I always wanted to work for a Chamber of Commerce and have a flower shop,” she said.
To check the second box, Somers recently opened Centerpiece Floral Shop in the original Grocer + Goddess location across from Trent Pottery in downtown Los Gatos.
Somers’ first foray into flowers was with a floral company in Boston called Winston Flowers, where she worked for seven years, where she helped put on large-scale events, a skill that came in handy in her eight years with the Chamber. After stepping down as executive director, she worked briefly for Bunches in Los Gatos before finding a spot to open her own shop.
Her background in event planning came into play when setting up shop in the former Grocer + Goddess, which is being converted into a salon for corporate meetings and events.
“We figure we can have 32 people seated for dinner and cocktail parties for 60, using inside and outside areas,” says Somers. “When we don’t have an event going on, there will be more space for floral arrangements.”
Her focus is on farm-fresh flowers that will make field-to-table centerpieces. She loves visiting the flower farms on the coast and in south county, and will have premade arrangements as well as custom ones.
“Bring in your own container and we will fill it,” says Somers, who is partnering with local plant expert Carla Olivet to provide a mix of succulents and bulb-based flowers in pots for people to purchase. For the holidays, she has cedar garlands, unusual wreaths, poinsettias, candles, ornaments and gift items.
“Given the state of the world right now, we need things that make us smile,” says Somers. Flowers are a happy business. I wanted to create a space that makes people feel happy. I have flowers in my soul.”
Centerpiece Floral Shop is open Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The shop doesn’t yet offer delivery service.
