Oly’s Flower Cart begins deliveries, physical therapist offers free online courses
After creating a flower garden, making a business plan, building a cart and applying for a spot at the Olympia Farmers Market, Oly’s Flower Cart was ready to take its next step and open for business.
And then everything was put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, said co-owner Ashley Diaz and her husband, Michael.
But on Tuesday, the business started making flower deliveries (by car, not by cart), and expects to put the cart to work this month for a Mother’s Day event, the details of which are still being worked out, Ashley Diaz said.
She and her husband grew up in Olympia and named their oldest child Olyvia. Her nickname is “Oly,” which inspired the name of the business.
“We love our hometown,” Ashley said.
Once the pandemic eases, Diaz wants to do “pop up” events with the cart, perhaps partnering with another business, such as a coffee shop, to sell flowers at that location.
For more about the Mother’s Day event, customers should follow Oly’s Flower Cart on Instagram and Facebook. If you’re looking for flower deliveries, customers can order them through the Oly’s Flower Cart website, she said.
Diaz wanted to make clear that the business will operate as safely as it can with customers on Mother’s Day due to the coronavirus.
In Lacey, Penrose & Associates Physical Therapy has secured financial assistance through the Small Business Administration and via the city of Lacey’s grant program, and wants to give back to the community, said owner Dr. Jennifer Penrose.
To do that, her massage therapist and athletic trainer are teaching free classes online.
The massage therapist will teach a full body stretching class from 3-4 p.m. Tuesdays. This class is for anyone working from home, or stuck at home feeling tight, tense, anxious and stiff.
The athletic trainer is teaching a gentle core/mat Pilates class from 12:15-1:15 p.m. Fridays. This class is for anyone feeling a little more back pain from sitting in poor chairs, doing more yard work, or sitting more in general. The class will cover breathing for pain relief, posture, hip stretching and gentle core exercises.
For more information, send an email to info@penrosept.com.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
