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<\/p>\nLeigh Catoe Tillman knew she was ready for a different career. Spending years in the corporate world, the entrepreneur decided to create her own flower shop and wine bar in downtown St. Petersburg.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bouquet and Bordeaux\u2019s 2,700-square-foot location, at 9 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street S., is expected to open in June. Initially, it was scheduled to welcome guests this month. However, there have been some delays in the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tillman said that the company\u2019s e-commerce store will launch Thursday (April 9) to establish the brand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The goal was to create an experience that revolves around French culture and Southern hospitality. Research was essential in the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI did some traveling and came across a concept in Paris that was a floral cafe,\u201d she explained. \u201cD\u00e9sir\u00e9e offered full meals along with retail floral options and workshops. I thought that was a really neat concept and something that I haven\u2019t really seen in the U.S. that brings both of those elements together.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Leigh Catoe Tillman<\/p>\n
Bouquet and Bordeaux will have a bloom studio, wine bar and bistro. Tillman recently hired a sommelier to help build out the concept\u2019s wine strategy and lead the beverage program.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A core aspect of the bloom studio will be workshops, she added. Guests can learn how to arrange flowers and wreaths. The space will also be used for events.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One area of focus, Tillman said, will be \u201cbudget-savvy\u201d weddings. Bridges will be able to visit the studio and build their own bouquets.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bouquet and Bordeaux will also feature a store, she added, that \u201cis curated with items that are all related to flowers and wine.\u201d <\/p>\n
Additionally, guests will be able to purchase make-your-own gift baskets. Tillman planned to introduce the packages as a \u201cYear Two\u201d initiative, but decided to move forward on the venture earlier due to the brick and mortar location\u2019s delay. These will be sold on the e-commerce store.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There will be things for brides, mothers, fathers, graduates and even a LGBTQ+ Pride themed box. She explained that while the baskets will not feature flowers, they will have items such as spa products, wine glasses and inspirational books for students.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCommunity is definitely one of our pillars,\u201d Tillman said. Every Bouquet and Bordeaux employee will receive two paid give-back days. This will allow them to donate their time to help others.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe intend to do the same,\u201d she added. \u201cWe have several campaigns that we\u2019ve already created around certain organizations in our community to provide donations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tillman is a Pinellas County native and grew up in Seminole. She moved back to the area about eight years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I started looking at Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, what really fit our aesthetic was the EDGE District,\u201d she explained. \u201cWe want to be a place where people enter and kind of slow down and take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n