By NATALIE MARTIN

The owners of Blooms & Things are retiring and selling their popular floral shop in Vashon town.

Carol Ahlfors, who owns the business with husband Chuck, said the two are retiring to spend more time with their daughter and grandchildren. The business, which is in a leased space, is now on the market.

Ahlfors said the move is bittersweet, as she and her husband will miss the shop, the business community and the islanders they got to know through Blooms.

“It’s hard to leave the people who have been here from the get-go,” she said.

The couple purchased the shop almost five years ago and have made many improvements there, including expanding the floral offerings, holding classes, offering event rentals and building the Bloom Room, a space behind the main shop for classes, parties and other events.

Recently Ahlfors led an effort for Vashon wedding and event vendors to collaborate on advertising, hoping to draw more wedding and event business to the island. Ahlfors, who is coordinating the group, said she expects someone else will step up to keep the effort afloat.

“I made sure I wasn’t the critical man with that,” she said.

“I’m optimistic that it will continue.”

Ahlfors said she and her husband hope to find a buyer that will keep the business going, as there has long been a florist shop in that space. Absent a buyer, they plan to keep the shop open through at least early fall.

“We’re looking for someone that will keep this corner going historically as a florist. … It has to be someone who can keep the quality and product of the service at parr with what we’re doing,” she said.