Every neighbourhood deserves a place that makes ordinary days feel a little more beautiful. For more than 50 years, that place has been The FLWR MRKT.
Originally established in 1974 as Caloundra Florist, the family-owned florist has become woven into the fabric of the Caloundra community, passed down through three generations of women and quietly accompanying locals through life’s most meaningful moments.
While the business has evolved over the decades, including its relocation and rebrand in 2023 as The FLWR MRKT, its heart has remained unchanged. The new identity represented a fresh chapter for the beloved Caloundra florist, celebrating the legacy of the past while embracing new opportunities and the continued evolution of the brand under Leonie Golden’s ownership.
At its core, The FLWR MRKT is built on community, creativity and connection. It is a space that champions women, celebrates life’s milestones and believes flowers have the power to bring beauty, comfort and joy into everyday moments, not just special occasions.
“I wanted to create a space where buying a bunch of beautiful blooms felt as natural as picking up your morning coffee,” says Leonie. “We wanted to remove the formality that can sometimes surround florists and instead create an inviting, inspiring space that encourages people to bring flowers into their homes simply because they make life feel a little brighter.”
It’s a philosophy woven through every corner of the store. Fresh flowers remain the hero, but they are joined by carefully curated ceramics, candles, homewares and locally made pieces, transforming FLWR MRKT into something closer to a lifestyle destination than a traditional florist. In store flowers sit naturally along side beautiful objects that help turn a house into a home. “Everything we stock is intentional, we arent trying to fill shelves. Every piece contributes to the experience we want people to have when they visit us.” Leonie explains. That thoughtful approach has been shaped by an unconventional journey into floristry.
Before opening FLWR MRKT, Leonie spent years as an early childhood teacher, where creativity, storytelling and creating beautiful environments were part of everyday life. Inspired by memories of her grandmother’s flower garden and a lifelong appreciation for beauty in simple things, floristry became a way to combine artistry with genuine human connection.
To celebrate the opening of the Caloundra store, FLWR MRKT has launched The Signature Bouquet Series, an evolving collection of floral collaborations celebrating the creatives shaping the Sunshine Coast’s cultural and creative landscape.
The concept is beautifully simple. Every fortnight, a local creative, maker or community personality is invited into the store to design a bouquet inspired by their own aesthetic, personality and the flowers that make them smile. The result is a limited-edition arrangement that invites customers to take home not just beautiful blooms, but a glimpse into someone else’s creative world.
“It’s fascinating to watch someone who has never designed a bouquet before instinctively choose flowers that reflect their personality,” Leonie says. “Two people can stand in front of the exact same selection of flowers and create something completely different, and that’s the magic of it.”
The series began with Esther from The Pocket Espresso Bar, whose aptly named Espresso Bloom perfectly captured her joyful, creative spirit. Blending warm roses, buttery Grandi Floras, delicate chamomile and sculptural twisted willow, the bouquet felt effortlessly modern with a soft, romantic edge. It set the tone for a series celebrating the personalities behind the petals as much as the blooms themselves.
Next came local artist and resident cool girl Brigitte Grant of BG Studio. Joined by her much-loved pup Freddie, Brigitte created a bouquet every bit as expressive as her artwork, layering Free Spirit roses, Easter daisies and amaranthus into an arrangement rich with colour, texture and movement. Artistic, playful and unmistakably Brigitte.
The latest collaboration comes from Danielle of Rayanna Caloundra, whose bouquet offers a contemporary take on romantic florals. Sunset toned roses and buttery Grandi Flora blooms are softened with delicate chamomile, while sculptural twisted willow introduces movement and an unexpected architectural edge. The result is effortlessly elegant, balancing softness with striking form.
Danielle’s Signature Bouquet “Willow & Wild”
Is available to order through the FLWR MRKT website until 23 July before the series welcomes its next creative collaborator – Chloe from White Pepper.
“Behind every boutique, café, studio or gallery is someone with a story, and I think those stories deserve to be celebrated,” Leonie says. “When local businesses genuinely support one another, we create a stronger, more connected community. We’re having so much fun with this, and that’s important too. Nothing without joy.”
It’s this sense of generosity that makes the Signature Bouquet Series feel so refreshing. Rather than simply collaborating with local names, FLWR MRKT is creating a platform for the people behind the businesses that shape the Sunshine Coast’s creative identity.
As each bouquet changes, so too does the experience of visiting the store. No two collaborations are ever the same, giving locals another reason to return, discover someone new and perhaps leave with flowers they never expected to choose.
With its second location now open in Caloundra, FLWR MRKT isn’t simply expanding. It’s inviting people to slow down, celebrate creativity and embrace the simple joy of bringing flowers into everyday life.
One bouquet at a time.
Find them at:
Make A Morning Of It
Taking over the neighbouring space beside FLWR MRKT and White Pepper Home, Olive’s House is bringing its beautifully curated collection to Caloundra for an exclusive two-day pop-up on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July between 9am and 2pm.
For founder Taylah Golden, the pop-up is more than a new location. It’s a chance to showcase Olive’s House alongside her mum, Leonie’s store, bringing two family-founded brands together for one beautifully curated weekend.
Known for its timeless homewares, natural textures and thoughtfully sourced lifestyle pieces, Olive’s House will showcase a collection of special finds, including pieces that have never been released online, giving Sunshine Coast shoppers a rare opportunity to experience the brand in person.
Written by Bailey Doyle.
