St Paul’s West Side has all the trappings of a thriving Latino community, like great restaurants, Hispanic grocers, and plenty of bilingual businesses. There are many community-focused, lesser-known gems there, too, like Hill’s Floral and Olmeca Tattoo.
In the heart of the West Side, brother and sister team of David and Diana Jiménez-Bermeo, both originally from Ecuador, run Hill’s Floral. They also administer the building, which also includes three apartments on the second floor and the tattoo studio.
“LEDC helped us with this dream,” said David. “With the loan they helped us get, we were able to buy our own building and grow our business.” Diana agrees, adding that LEDC “has done a lot for us. We’re even looking at opening a second shop in the Lake Street area of Minneapolis.”
Their current flower shop is a gorgeous street-facing burst of color. If you walk in today, you’ll find all the trappings for a romantic Valentine’s Day. “But we change our decoration and stock based on the season,” Diana said. Hill’s Floral specializes in Ecuadorian roses, which have a thicker texture and tend to last longer. “Our flowers are known for their duration, freshness and quality,” Diana said. One of Hill’s hallmarks are their preserved roses, also known as eternity roses. These flowers look freshly cut for a long time. “Our preserved roses last between two and five years,” Diana added with pride.
While I was in the shop recently, a customer named Stan told me that Hill’s “is the best flower shop I’ve ever been to! The flowers are beautiful, the help is kind, and the prices are affordable,” he said before placing an order for February 14.
Olmeca Tattoo
If you’re looking for some more permanent artwork, Olmeca Tattoo is right next door. Owner Julian Silvan opened his studio this past June, but he’s been tattooing for over 14 years. “We aim to have a welcoming, open place for the entire community,” Silvan said. Indeed, the space is bright and airy and the vibe is contagiously positive.
Together, Hill’s Floral and Olmeca Tattoo contribute to a vibrant cityscape that encourages walking and exploration.
Both Hill’s Floral and Olmeca Tattoo are located at 168 George Street in St Paul.
