A well known rotating landmark changes Friday March 8 in the Admiral Junction. Linda's Flower's and Gifts at 2600 California Ave. s.w. is becoming the Flower Lab.

The spinning sign (one of the few left in Seattle and 'grandfathered in) will carry the company's new logo and reflect owner Wendy Damoth's promise to offer more creative uses for flowers and the other products the store carries.

The business itself has been around West Seattle for more than 20 years in several different locations and finally settled at the corner of Admiral Way and California Ave. s.w. ten years ago. It was started by Linda Harader, who last year chose to retire and sell it to Damoth in January of 2011. Harader still "comes in and buys something. She's been very supportive," said Damoth.

Damoth has made only a few changes in the shop, "trying to update things a little bit," she said. But the new name is meant to suggest a stronger spirit of creativity when it comes to flowers, arrangements, and events. "We're trying to freshen it up and make it more creative. We'd like to do more events, more weddings and not just the basic. We will still do the traditional but the name makes me think creatively. It gives me a vision of what I'd like the inside of the store to look like and what I want our work to look like."

The name has already inspired a few decor changes; test tubes hang from branches and colorful small vases and what could pass for beakers are artfully arranged among the many items on display. But Damoth is seeking help from her customers. "We're working out what our niche is and what the people in the neighborhood want. It's still a work in progress. The Alki and West Seattle shirts are something everybody wants but there's not a lot of retail in this neighborhood." She's hoping people will send her suggestions either by email or via their new Facebook page.

One idea she's been working on is the integration of cut branches and actually wants people to call her if they have some branches they've trimmed. She will come by and pick them up and if they work for an arrangement, they will appear in the store (or possibly at an event).

The new logo was designed by Damoth's neighbor, graphic designer Heather Green.

You can find them online at the older name www.lindasflowersandgifts.com but at some point that will change too.

The staff at Flower Lab Tahmina Ringer, and Melody Smouse have been working on their creative expression and recently were asked to produce some elephants as decorative pieces for an event with a 1930's vintage circus theme. Not finding one they liked for purchase, they ended up crafting them on their own out of wire and moss.

You can reach Flower Lab by phone at 935-2587