BRISTOL (WCYB) – Bristol has inaugurated a new wholesale flower market aimed at bolstering regional farmers from Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Named the Bristol Bloom Flower Collective, this market caters to a diverse clientele seeking locally sourced flowers.
According to USDA data, the commercial flower industry amassed $6.5 billion in sales in 2021, predominantly from international sources, often sidelining smaller local farms.
Many vendors express that proximity to a major flower market is a long-held aspiration.
Presently, the market hosts 10 primary vendors offering a wide array of blooms.
Ashley Johnson, a flower farmer from Elizabethton, highlights the distinct benefits of having a nearby flower wholesaler. She emphasizes that this initiative not only supports them economically but also fosters a stronger community bond.
The flower market operates every Wednesday from 9 am to 12 pm at 1509 West State Street, Bristol VA 24201, providing a pivotal platform for local growers and florists to thrive.
