FEATURES · BLOOM BOOM
THE BLOOM BOOM STORY BY ERIKA PAZ
The power of plants. It’s teaching us self care, self expression, and most importantly, a sense of community.
The bloom boom is officially in full flower in Long Beach. It’s been growing for a few years now, but it truly went viral during the pandemic. Along with roller skating and sourdough bread baking, plant parenting became an oasis for many who were stuck at home. But for people of color and the queer community, the plant trend is providing more than just a hobby, it has become an invitation for self care, selfexpression and important conversations. In less than six months, Long Beach has seen the opening of two POC, queer-owned plant shops; Plantiitas, by owners Kevin Alcaraz and Anthony Diaz, who opened their store in October 2020; Pippi + Lola, opened in February 2021 by Dynelly Del Valle; and most recently, another shop in Bixby Knolls, Plants By Yours Truly, owned by Melissa Murillo. All three join the already thriving plant community in Long Beach. “So many people come in and they start chit chatting with us. It starts off as, ‘I’m not very good with plants, but…’ and then all of a sudden we’re talking about trans rights. It gets really deep, real quick,” Del Valle said. Pippi + Lola officially opened on Valentine’s Day. Del Valle, who describes herself as forever 25 and Puerto Rican by blood, is happy that her plant studio u
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Pippi + Lola owners Melissa Balam, left, and Dynelly de Valle open their doors on Feb. 14, 2021 in Long Beach. Photo by Emily Chen
Dynelly Del Valle, owner of Pippi + Lola, has curated an enviorment that is more than just a plant shop, it’s a plant oasis. Photo by Emily Chen
