The Petal and the Stem

Mill Creek business owner Candice Szarzec has a way of turning negative, painful events into something creative and positive.

Inside her flower store, The Petal and the Stem at Mill Creek Town Center, one would not guess a tragedy is part of the reason the bubbly, outgoing business owner is there.

When her husband died in a motorcycle accident in September 2007, Szarzec needed a way to support herself and her two boys, now four and eight years old.

With a background in floral design and after making a name for herself in Southern California by owning a floral business, it made sense for Szarzec to return to her niche.

Szarzec runs the flower shop located at 15415 Main St., D 101, Mill Creek. Her older sister, Heather, and brother-in-law, Josh Drake, are her partners that run the business and financial side from their home in Orange County. Szarzec is the creative side behind the business.

The family officially purchased the store in June 2008.

Heather said the shop and the success of the business is bittersweet.

“The business is here because her husband isn’t here,” she said.

Szarzec and her husband had moved from Southern California to Snohomish for a quality of life change and to enroll their children in the reputable school district.

Szarzec and her husband would shop at Mill Creek Town Center where she was attracted to the “young feel and higher-end suburbia feel.”

When Szarzec called with the news of the accident, her brother-in-law told her, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you,” Heather said.

“My husband is going straight to heaven,” she added.

It does not matter if a client needs flowers for a memorial or a wedding; Szarzec has a way of connecting with people, Heather said.

“She’s still positive,” she said. “She goes at life.”

Despite the tragedy, Szarzec remains upbeat and focused on making a life for her and her boys.

“Everything we throw at her she does with a smile,” Heather said. “Having me and my husband as her boss has to be hard.”

The sisters came up with the name, “The Petal and the Stem” to describe what they see in each other.

“My sister is so beautiful inside and out and so positive,” Heather said. “She said to me, ‘You’re my strength, you’re my roots (and) you’re all I’ve got.’”

And now, it feels like things are just starting to happen for the business, Heather said.

“Right now it’s about finding our roots in the community,” she said.

On Oct. 15, The Petal and the Stem will host an open house for a night of music by Wavelink Music, food and drinks. Pink Blossom Events will be on hand coordinating the event. The event will feature ideas for a party, wedding or holiday event from 5 to 8 p.m. at 15415 Main St., D101, Mill Creek.