Gypsea Blooms, a boutique focused on custom floral arrangements and curated gifts, is set to open next month at 1622 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District, according to an April 21 announcement. The new store will occupy about 900 square feet next to the soon-to-open Blue Urban Project Thrift.
The arrival of Gypsea Blooms reflects ongoing urban growth and community engagement in downtown St. Petersburg, as reported by St. Pete Rising. The publication provides news articles, event calendars, and development maps that highlight city progress and local happenings.
Andrea Harper founded Gypsea Blooms with plans for a build-your-own bouquet bar where customers can select individual stems to create their own arrangements. Nicole Gebler, lead florist and store manager, said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising: “We are so excited to be part of this community and have a space on Central Avenue. We’re excited to bring this concept here and give people a thoughtful way to create something special.”
The shop will also offer pre-arranged bouquets at various price points along with single-stem options and dried floral pieces. Customers can build custom gift baskets from items around the store or request staff assistance for assembly. “You give us a color scheme or a price point, and we can build it for you right there,” Gebler said. “If you want something simple or something more elevated, we’ll have options for both.”
In addition to flowers, the boutique will feature imported goods such as gourmet chocolates, candles, bath products, handmade bags, jewelry with crystals and shells—many sourced through Harper’s travels with an emphasis on unique items not previously seen locally. “This isn’t going to be your typical boutique,” Gebler said. “There will be items in here that you haven’t seen before in St. Pete. Each piece has a story behind it.”
Gebler described how she met Harper by chance at a coffee shop; their shared interests led them to collaborate on Gypsea Blooms.
Beyond retail offerings, Gypsea Blooms intends to host small workshops including floral arrangement classes, gift basket building sessions, jewelry making courses, watercolor painting events—and other art-based activities—by opening its space up for local creatives: “We want this to be a space where people can come in and create,” Gebler said. “Not just shop but actually make something and connect with others.”
Gypsea Blooms is aiming for an early May opening ahead of Mother’s Day.
St. Pete Rising operates as an independent news publication covering urban development across St Petersburg—with particular focus on downtown progress—to foster resident connections through stories about local growth according to its official website.
