For Sarah Cioni, Niwot is Belle Terre

On July 14, across from the Niwot Market, friends and curious community members found themselves at Sarah Cioni's new shop Belle Terre. Some came to welcome her back to Niwot, others came for the free snacks and flowers, others came just to take a selfie with Marie Antoinette.

"I'm so happy about the turnout, and I think her shop is amazing," said Sarah Smith, a friend and former colleague of Cioni's.

There were quite a few people at the grand opening of the shop--it was packed with people smelling candles and taking photos, and the party spilled out onto the path outside the shop, where tables and a DJ were set up. The vibe of the night was more like that of a house-warming party with free gifts rather than an event to welcome a new business.

"This event is fabulous, I mean, how could it not be with Sarah in charge?" Willem De Froy, a local chef and another friend of Cioni's, said. "I was just telling her, the products are great, but the atmosphere is, as the French would say, 'cocooning' [comforting, welcoming]. It's her personality too."

This sentiment was shared by Honey Ahijevych, who beamed when she said that the party was "so Sarah." She went on to explain that "Sarah has a niche and an eye for detail that you don't get with any other florist."

As a wedding and events florist, Cioni certainly has years of experience in the field, but she said she loves "having all the beautiful little niceties and accessories" in addition to her main services.

She pours and sells her own candles and is planning on having a number of imported products as well as merchandise with the Niwot brand.

"I spent hours and hours on the internet, just looking for things other retailers didn't have, things from Europe," Cioni said. "I have a lot of things I personally imported from France. I have a lot of Niwot merchandise. So I try to hit several different markets of customers."

She described the grand opening--and her return to Niwot--as thrilling and emotional. After years managing the Painted Primrose, Cioni left for Los Angeles to help her brother who had cancer. Four years later, she returned to Niwot and when she found the space in Cottonwood Square, she knew it would be perfect.

"I want Belle Terre, which means 'beautiful earth,' in French, ...to be a place where people can find beauty in our everyday lives," she said smiling. "I always say, I have a very ordinary life, but I live it extraordinarily."

Cioni is active on social media and you can keep up to date with her and Belle Terre on Instagram at belleterrefloral.