On the Fourth of July, while the town waved flags and grilled hot dogs, something quietly beautiful took root on Morris Street.
Tucked into a sunny storefront with bright white walls, raw wood shelving, and greenery spilling from every corner, Art of Flowers and Nomad opened their doors — bringing a little bit of aloha, Northwest soul, and musical mystery to La Conner.
Kelly Keane, the floral force behind Art of Flowers, was designing bouquets from her home on Pull and Be Damned Road when the idea of a storefront bloomed. The couple had just heard about the retail space. “We were on the back porch,” she recalled. “We looked at each other and said, ‘Do we want a store? Can we do this?’” The answer, clearly, was yes.
Now, Keane’s shop offers full-service floral arrangements for weddings, funerals, parties, and everyday joys. Customers can swing by for a wrapped bouquet from the cooler or browse her hand-picked selection of Bellingham-made beauty oils, houseplants, succulents, greeting cards, art, and jewelry.
“I love La Conner and the size of the community,” said Keane, who has lived in places as far-flung as Key West and Kauai. “We’re just really happy to be here and have something to offer.”
Across the hall, her partner Madek opened Nomad, a cozy, curious haven for sound, spirit, and connection. It’s part music shop, part meditation zone, part art installation — selling everything from ukuleles and vinyl to cassette tapes and hand-carved didgeridoos, which Madek decorates with burned-in designs.
A Reiki practitioner and sound bath aficionado, Madek hopes Nomad becomes a gathering spot for music lovers and seekers. Events like ukulele nights and vinyl swaps are in the works.
“Expect the unexpected here,” he said. “This whole place is an art piece. There’s no blueprint. We’re just here to inspire — and be inspired.”
Art of Flowers and Nomad are open at “reasonable hours” most days, and are located at 313 Morris St. #4, next door to RETRO CAFE.
Kari Mar is editor and publisher of La Conner Community News.
