Sharing the Dream, 605 Florista holding grand re-opening event celebration new joint space

Sharing the Dream in Guatemala and 605 Florista are holding a grand re-opening event this weekend to celebrate the joining of the two businesses in the same space.

“We pretty much brought the idea around, had conversations about it, and the idea grew on us. We love it so far,” Ariana Johnson, owner of 605 Florista, said.

Johnson originally opened 605 Florista in February with a location just across the hall in the Jones building, where ‘Brosia Bowl will soon be opening. But seeing the extra sunlight her plants could be getting from the Jones courtyard was what first sparked the idea to move in with Sharing the Dream.

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Sharing the Dream in Guatemala is a fair-trade nonprofit that works with more than 20 artisans from all over Guatemala. The store sells the handmade products, and all proceeds go back toward the organization's programs and pop-ups in Guatemala.

“Between Ariana’s plants and our handmade items, it’s really becoming a one-stop shop for customers looking for unique floral and gift ideas,” Lauren Vaske said.

Vaske is the executive director of Sharing the Dream.

“It's a nice arrangement, because we both bring something,” Vaske continued. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”

Traffic has now grown for both stores, and the joint space also allows Sharing the Dream to be open more hours since they rely mostly on volunteer time.

The plants also love the extra sunlight they’re getting from the Jone’s courtyard, Johnson said. She plans to start holding classes on plants and using more Guatemalan containers with her florals as she and Vaske think of more ways to collaborate the businesses.

The only challenge so far is that the point-of-sale systems are still separate, but all of the customers have been OK with that so far, said the pair.

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“We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from customers,” Johnson said. “It’s also been great working with all the other volunteers.”

Sharing the Dream is also looking at putting together an event committee, so they can hold more events, and the volunteers now get to learn about plants, too.

For the grand re-opening, there will be specials, such as buying a plant or fresh-cut flowers and getting 25% off Guatemalan containers, as well as a new display featuring both stores' products.

The specials will run Friday and Saturday.

Johnson and Vaske are also looking forward to celebrating the Jones building’s Christmas in July at the end of the month, when they’ll have Christmas decorations and special gift certificates.

“This is just such an exciting time for both of us,” Johnson said. “The Jones building is a really great place to be.”

The store is now open 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. -7 p.m. Saturday. Sunday and Monday are by appointment only.

People interested in volunteering can do so through Sharing the Dream’s website.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: 605 Florista, Sharing the Dream celebrating new joint space downtown