Community Business Spotlight: Home Ec & Best Bud Floral

If you have ever wandered Adams Ave just over the 15 fwy bridge in Kensington, you most likely have experienced the vibrate, hard to miss store front of Home Ec + Best Bud Floral. Bright colors, inviting tables and chairs, flowers in the window. It's hard to walk by and not want to stop in for a browse. This powerhouse of a duo is building community in their own special way and that's why they are our Business Feature for our Community Spotlight this week.

Home Ec + Best Bud is a kitchen shop meets flower shop in Kensington. What was once two stores with two locations combined forces in November 2024 to create a happiness hub with kitchen + pantry supplies, cookbooks, flowers, gifts, and more. They host lots of pop-ups and workshops as well as keep a fully stocked store with both necessities and gifts.

We asked Carynn, owner of Home Ec, a few questions to get a lil insight on their story, here's what she had to say:

WL: What inspired you to start your business?

HEBB: Curiosity / the urge to make something of our own, and do things our way. We’re each pretty particular about what we offer, and wanted to create a space that feels great to be in.

WL: How has the business evolved since you first opened, what's changed, what's stayed the same?

HEBB: We each started small and scrappy, and have grown into something more layered. More products, more daily flowers, more people hanging out here! Events and pop-ups became part of the rhythm. What hasn’t changed is the feeling. A place to pop in, browse, chat, and discover something special.

WL: What's something happening at the business right now that you're excited about?

HEBB: The mix of things happening week to week. A workshop one night, a pop-up on the sidewalk, CSA pickups every Saturday. It keeps the shop feeling alive and active, and we love it.

WL: What do you want people to feel when they walk in the door?

HEBB: We hope they simply feel happy to be here! We are happy they're here.

WL: What do you wish that more people in the neighborhood knew about what you offer?

HEBB: We wish more people knew they could bring their own vase to the shop and have our florists fill it with flowers!

WL: We believe community is everything. Is there someone who has shown up for you or your business that deserves a shout out?

HEBB: Our collaboration with each other has uplifted both businesses in ways we never expected. We’re also really grateful for the local artists and vendors who trust us with their work and ideas. It all feeds into each other -- a lovely web!

Where to find them:

Website Home Ec: homeecbestbud.com - check the website for their ever-updated events calendar.

Website Best Bud Floral: bestbudfloral.com

Find them in Instagram: @home.ec.store and @bestbudfloral

Visit them in store: 4153 Adams Ave. 92116