Meet Tyke Patriquin

Q: Tyke, what’s the origin story of Cass the Florist?

Cass the Florist is a third-generation family business that’s been on Mount Auburn Street in Watertown since the late 1940s. 

Our story all began with my grandmother, Mary Casabian, an Amernian Genocide survivor. Mary started the flower shop in Allston as World War II was ending and soon after opened her second shop on Mount Auburn Street. 

She also raised her family in the business. Mary’s daughter Faith likes to say that she was “born in a flower pot.” 

Q: How did the business grow over time?

Faith – my mom – really grew the business to new heights. As an up-and-coming designer, Faith won the country’s top floral design competitions, including the  America's Cup. In fact, she was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers, the most prestigious and selective professional floral design association in the United States and abroad.

The shop’s reputation and client list grew to include many well-known organizations in the Boston area, such as Harvard and the Museum of Fine Arts. Our shop also has also had a hand in many high-profile engagements, such as the Rose Bowl and the White House for Christmas.

Q: So when did the shop expand to also include teaching floral design? 

Faith opened the Cass School of Floral Design in 1979. Thousands of students, from beginners to experts, have taken classes and graduated from the school, which is accredited by the state of Massachusetts. Faith also taught floral design internationally, traveling around the world to teach, particularly throughout Asia. 

Today, I run the business. As you may have noticed from our storefront, we are currently expanding the school, with new online video and digital learning improvements for students. We’re also innovating and incorporating new sustainable design techniques.

Q: What does the school offer? 

Well, we offer beginner and introductory flower arranging workshops, which have long been a hit with Watertown residents and folks from neighboring communities. No experience is necessary and they’re a great way to connect with friends and neighbors in a relaxed and creative setting. It can be a really fun activity for a group of friends that want to do something together as well. 

We also offer holiday classes and have groups of families and friends who attend year after year. I just love that these folks have made getting together to be creative and enjoy flowers a part of their holiday traditions.  Our newest holiday class is Galentine's Day on February 11, and we are super looking forward to celebrating friendship with flowers! 

For more advanced students and aspiring floral professionals, we offer multi-day courses and training programs. We have a very strong reputation, so we’ve had students come to us from across the US, and abroad, which is exciting! 

By the way, readers can learn more about the Cass School, including upcoming classes, by following us on Instagram or Facebook.  

Q: Can folks still call Cass the Florist for flowers for special events, or just an everyday bouquet?

While we are expanding our school offerings, our flower shop is still open and going strong. We continue to create beautiful arrangements and bouquets for funerals, holidays, special events, and everyday, just as we have for decades. 

One change we've made is that we now focus exclusively on custom creations, rather than offering pre-made items. Just give us a call, and we'll work with you to create the perfect arrangement for you, whether it's for pick-up or delivery in Watertown.

Q: Tyke, what are some of your favorite things to do here in Watertown?

I absolutely love that we've been a part of the Watertown community for so long! One of my favorite spots is Uncommon Grounds, where I always enjoy getting my coffee from Peter. When it was a gas station Peter's Dad, Charlie, used to help me cross Melendy Ave when I was too young to do it myself, so I could head to the Victory Spa for penny candy. Peter's mom, Grace, also used to help me deposit my birthday money at the Bay Bank (now Citizens Bank) and show me the entry in my savings passbook when she was a teller. 

It's always a great feeling when a current customer tells us we did their parents' wedding flowers or their prom flowers—it’s those kinds of connections that really make being part of this community so special.