BY ANDE DUNN for WEEKLY VOLCANO 7/4/25 |
Nestled in the walkable charm of Ruston, just steps from the water, is a small shop with a big mission. Bloom Society is not your average boutique. Yes, you’ll find beautiful, small-batch skincare, handcrafted jewelry, and thoughtful home goods on its curated shelves. But linger a little longer and you’ll realize it’s something more. Something deeper. This place hums with intention.
Bloom Society is the brainchild of Jessica Larimore who envisioned more than a retail experience — she imagined a space where women could gather not to network or posture, but to truly connect. It started with a longing she recognized in herself and others: the ache for community rooted in kindness, compassion, and genuine support. In her words, “not rooted in business cards or social status, but in heart, character, and shared humanity.”
That longing gave birth to the Bloom Society Sisterhood, a private membership community for women. The Sisterhood meets monthly and offers its members more than perks — it offers presence. “It’s soft, supportive, and deeply meaningful,” she explains. “A space where we can all grow and bloom together.” There are no name tags, no ladders to climb. Instead, there’s tea, laughter, tears, and the kind of conversations that fill your cup.
From the Sisterhood sprouted the shop. After years of burnout from vendor markets, Larimore — herself a maker and mom — knew there had to be a better way to support women in business. “I realized so many women were struggling with the same thing: trying to grow their small businesses without sacrificing time with their families,” she says. The solution? A consignment-based gift shop that offers makers a place to shine all year round, without the grind of constant markets. It’s retail, reimagined.
Inside Bloom Society, every item is chosen with care and carries a story. The shop prioritizes goods that are woman-owned, local, handcrafted, and ethically made. But beyond the product tags and artisan displays, there’s something else that makes Bloom Society feel different — the energy. “This little shop holds big dreams,” she says, her voice full of warmth. “Not just mine, but the dreams of all the women and local makers who are part of it.”
The space is designed to be peaceful and inspiring — a haven for both shoppers and seekers. And it’s working. Bloom Society has become a place where customers pause for conversation, where strangers become friends, and where women discover they’re not alone. The mission is clear: heart over hype, community over comparison. And everything — from the Sisterhood meetings to the hand-stamped gift tags — flows from that central ethos.
“Bloom Society is more than just a cute little shop,” she says. “We’re a hub for heart-centered living.” That heart-centered approach extends to Bloom Society’s events and workshops, which range from creative gatherings to soulful conversations. Whether you’re crafting something tangible or working through something internal, you’re invited to show up as you are. No masks, no pressure.
And while the shop’s philosophy may be gentle, its purpose is anything but small. “Every connection made here matters to me deeply,” she says. “The entire space is curated to feel personal and intentional. It’s a place to shop with purpose and feel connected to something meaningful.”
Why plant such a vision in Tacoma’s Ruston neighborhood? The answer is as thoughtful as the shop itself: community. “Ruston has a small-town feel with big personality,” she says. “It’s charming, walkable, right next to the water. Tacoma brings in a beautiful mix of creativity, diversity, and hometown pride.” For Bloom Society, it was the ideal soil in which to grow.
As the shop continues to bloom, so does its impact. The Sisterhood is expanding, more local makers are joining the roster, and word is spreading about the special magic that lives inside those walls. But Bloom Society’s founder doesn’t measure success in foot traffic or sales numbers. For her, the real victories are quieter — the look on a woman’s face when she feels seen, the moment two strangers realize they’ve lived parallel stories, the gentle exhale of someone who’s finally found her people.
“We’re here, and we’re worth discovering,” she says with a smile. And for anyone who walks through the door, it quickly becomes clear: Bloom Society is more than a place — it’s a feeling. A reminder that when women are supported, celebrated, and seen, they don’t just grow — they bloom.
