Whether they have stopped in or not, La Jollans may have noticed a colorful little open-air shop and casual garden at the entrance of the La Jolla business district on Torrey Pines Road. The shop adds a burst of color to the area with its flower and plant-filled front and side gardens, sunlit décor and bright smiles from the owners who have years of expertise in the flower and gardening business. Native La Jollans Michael and Bridget Oleata decided to launch the blossoming new business venture, Bridget Blooms, last April after Bridget took a 10-year hiatus from the flower and plant industry in order to start a family. The shop offers a variety of fresh-cut seasonal and year-round blooms, a great selection of potted and hanging plants, succulents, orchid plants, and special holiday offerings in an indoor-outdoor, children- and dog-friendly shop. The front and side gardens serve as tranquil “waiting rooms” for those who simply stop in for an arrangement on the go. “Our location provides excellent visibility for the many people that enter and leave La Jolla every day,” Michael said. He called the shop “La Jolla’s floral ambassadors to the world,” since the online selection of wreaths, potted plants, bouquets, flower baskets, topiaries and centerpieces are sent across the globe for a variety of occasions. “In addition to our retail shop and online store, we offer home decoration, home and garden flower and plant consultation and installation, and business plant and flower services,” he said. Bridget’s many years of experience in the field of flowers stemmed from a passion for gardening at a young age. “I’m a local La Jolla beach girl who has always loved planting in my garden and working with flowers. I started my education with flowers back in 1983,” she states on her website. “After working at a La Jolla flower shop for many years and later owning the business for 10 years, I sold my shop to start a family. Nine years and two children later, with the support of my family, I’m back making beautiful arrangements and loving it.” The family business focuses on providing quality products and the best customer service around. “What’s most important to my wife is the relationship we have with people coming in. My wife is obsessed with quality and making people happy,” Michael said. “Our expertise in the field flowers and plants comes from decades of experience, a grand passion from all that is flowers and our commitment to meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations. Quality and customer satisfaction — at a reasonable price — is our goal.” Bridget’s Blooms is located at 1055 Torrey Pines Road. Visit www.bridgetslajollablooms.com or call (858) 459-0731 for information.