Community Spotlight: Blooms Grows Locally With Economic Alliance
August 12, 2025 | Business Support, Member Stories
If you’re a fanatic about your spring planting, you know you go from place to place to find just the right flowers and plants. Then you come across Blooms and you know you’ve found your place.
“You come for plants and end up staying for everything else,” says Melody Dixon, director of integrated marketing for Blooms by Bladeworks, “Picture bold red buildings, an amazing variety of trees, and a courtyard exploding with flowers in every color. The gift shop is packed with character, featuring local art, handmade goods and unexpected finds.”
Once you get there, you’ll feel the good vibes all around you. People chatting, kids learning, gardeners trading tips and hanging around at Blooms Bistro, which serves up meals worth sitting down for and drinks perfect for wandering the grounds.
Blooms is deeply rooted in the local ecosystem. “Most of our annuals are grown right here in Cedar Rapids and every fruit tree we carry is hardy enough to handle Iowa’s harsh weather. We’re serious about quality and seasonality, which is why the Bistro menu is always changing between rotating specials, gluten-free options and fun themes that align with holidays and the seasons of the year.”
Blooms is also deeply also deeply rooted in the local business community. “Being part of the Economic Alliance has opened doors both for collaboration and community impact. It’s given us meaningful connections to other local businesses and creators, and created opportunities to show up for Cedar Rapids in new ways. By helping Blooms be more visible to the community we serve, the Alliance has helped unify our mission with the greater good of the city.”
The company helps plant trees around Cedar Rapids and also contributes to the city’s holiday decor. Every aspect of Blooms is connected to the community it thrives in.
If you’d like to grow your business, consider a membership with the Economic Alliance by connecting with Anne Laugen at alaugen@cedarrapids.org
We’ll help you plant your roots in our thriving business community!
Learn more about Blooms Garden Center & Gift Shop!