fifty plus
 Van Nes Flowers Ltd.
(50 plus)
A designer and entrepreneur, Jan Van Nes moved from Holland to Toronto in 1952 and opened Van Nes Flowers at Yonge and Eglington the following year. In 1986, he moved to their current location on Bayview Ave. The business passed on to Jan’s son Richard in 1992, but at the age of 76, Jan still comes in to lend a helping hand. Truly a family affair, Van Nes Flowers has been a success for the past 53 years.
Valley Flowers (50 plus)
Jack Kurtz opened Valley Flowers with a partner in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1947. The Kurtz family lived above the shop, and sons Richard and Bryan grew up working in the shop. In the mid 1960s, they came to work full-time in the store, after finishing highschool.
West Van Florist (50 plus)
West Van Florist opened its doors in Vancouver, B.C. in 1933, owned by Betty and Frank Harrington. In 1956, the grand re-opening took place and the new store was described by the local newspaper as a “wonderland of exquisite cut flowers and plants, displayed to the best possible advantage in a bright, cheery atmosphere.” West Van Florist was the first shop to have the Telex machine installed. In 1972, present owners, Rob and Wendy Harrigton, purchased the shop from Betty and Frank. Rob had begun working in his parents’ store at the age of six, collecting moss and folding boxes. In 1976, a garden centre was built and opened.
 Edna Miller Flowers & Gifts Inc. (50 plus)
Edna Miller came to Hamilton, Ont. from England as a very young girl. She met and married Elmer Miller and they had one son, Micheal (Tony). By training she was a bookkeeper, but she wanted to get out of the routing of keeping ledgers, payrolls and other office work, so she chose to become a florist. She began in the shop of Alma Lou Florist, and in 1951, she started Edna Miller Flowers.
Following her sudden death, Tony carried on the family business. Susan Hewitt began working at Edna Miller Flowers while Tony was the owner. When the opportunity of purchasing the shop presented itself in 1990, Hewitt was hooked on the floral industry.
 Gemmell’s Flowers Ltd.
(50 plus)
Gemmell’s Flower Shop has been at 39 Beckwith Street in Smith Falls, Ont. since 1986, but the history of this business goes back to 1933 when the shop opened for business on Valentine’s Day. Don and Lillian Gemmell and Don’s mom, dad and sister, Eva, all worked in the shop and greenhouse. Now Don’s son Ron, Janice and their daughter Debbie continue to carry on the business. Gemmell’s Flowers original phone number was 385 in 1933.
 Smith Bros. Florist (50 plus)
John Smith began the greenhouse operation of Smith Bros. Florist in 1950 with his brothers Fred and Niel. Shortly after buying, they added a retail operation. Over the years, John bought out his brothers and in 1975, John’s children, Stanley and Dawn, became active in the business. In 1980, the Smith Bros. Florist was rebuilt – increasing the retail space to 3000 sq.ft. Although John is no longer active in the business, he still keeps track of his kids and the shop.
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