CULLMAN, Ala. – Emma Thompson is a Cullman native who currently attends Wallace State Community College. Unlike most 20-year-olds, she has her own business. She is the proud owner of The Blooming Barista, established in September 2025.
The business currently doesn’t have a storefront and is run out of a mobile trailer. Thompson said they are normally set up in one spot, but keep their location posted on Facebook.
“It’s definitely been a learning process,” she shared. “As I said, I am only 20, so it has been kind of chaotic because I am doing a lot right now. I really enjoy it.”
She elaborated on the idea that led to her starting her business. “My sister and I went on a sister trip to New York and that’s where we got the whole idea. We’ve always really loved coffee shops and all the cute, fun and girly things. We came across one that was a coffee shop with a flower shop and got the idea to combine them.”
She credited her sister, Jordan Whitlock, for assisting her in her start. “My sister and her husband have owned Cullman Basketball Complex for a few years so she’s more familiar with the business aspect of it.”
She continued, “We’ve learned a lot and we’re finding our groove, which is kind of why we started it early. I graduate at the end of this semester – at the end of spring, then we are going to hop in full time!”
The Blooming Barista has more to offer. Thompson explained, “We’re not your traditional coffee shop; we specialize in lattes. We don’t offer drip coffee unless it is for a special event. We like specialty lattes and to make it fun – fun flavors, foams and to make it kind of girly! Then if people want to do the flower bundle, we keep it really cute.”
It offers classic flavors like vanilla, caramel and white chocolate, with sugar-free options. Then there are specialty flavors throughout the holidays. The most recent feature is the strawberry lattes for Valentine’s Day. These seasonal lattes are paired with red and pink roses.
The Blooming Barista primarily use roses and baby’s breath in its bouquets.
Thompson said the plan is eventually grow them herself. “I don’t have my own land right now, but the vision is to grow them myself and have them out of my backyard.”
Find The Blooming Barista online at Facebook/The Blooming Barista and @theblooming_barista on Instagram.
To order online go to https://thebloomingbarista.square.site. Reach Thompson by email at thebloomingbarista@gmail.com.
