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Tops Shops: A Proud Heritage
Champlain Florist delivers from a historic setting |
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Written by Rebecca Schwarz
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Located in a 131-year-old heritage building, Champlain Florist & Gift Shoppe in Moncton, N.B., is a family affair that’s been going strong for 35 years.
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LEFT: The past, present and future of the shop: James and Margaretha Wallace (original owners), Cynthia Wallace Carney (current owner), and Melanie Wallace (Cynthia’s 10 year old niece).
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The florist first opened in 1974 and was originally located in a large shopping centre. In 1990, owners Margaretha and Jim Wallace, along with daughter/designer Cynthia Wallace Carney, decided to relocate to a historic property dating back to 1878, a move that’s helped the florist stand out and develop its own style and look. The heritage home has become a part of the florist’s identity – and logo – and something it is widely recognized for.
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At a Glance
Company Name:
Champlain Florist & Gift Shoppe
Location:
Moncton, N.B.
Owners:
Margaretha and Jim Wallace, and Cynthia Wallace Carney
Facility Space:
3,200 square feet
Website:
www.champlainflorist.ca
Wire Services:
Teleflora and Floracom
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This year, the family is celebrating 35 years in business and has spent almost 20 years in their 3,200-square-foot digs, a space that demands a lot of product. The historic house has 11 rooms on two floors filled with gifts, permanent and dried botanicals and home décor. The space also features a large display cooler, plus a spacious walk-in cooler for additional cold storage and deliveries. A roomy office, a staff area, plenty of storage space in the basement and a large receiving area round out the home space.
The costs of heating and maintaining a 131-year-old heritage property are considerable, admits Cynthia, but the pros outweigh the cons. “The benefits of having an established business in this type of property are great. The property itself is a draw and an instant conversation starter! When we meet new people who are not familiar with us, you just have to mention we are in the old stone house on the corner, and they know.”
The house isn’t the only aspect of the shop to offer a history. Champlain Florist & Gift Shoppe has operated as a family affair right from the start. Margaretha was in her early 30s when she opened the store with her husband Jim. Her past is rooted in
flowers; Margaretha grew up in a small town in Holland where flowers were a significant part of the family culture. When she arrived in Canada at the age of 11, her first job was in a greenhouse and her interest in flowers continued to grow. Margaretha has handed this passion on to her daughter Cynthia, who became a co-owner in 1988 upon returning from university.
Mother and daughter share design duty and father Jim is responsible for number crunching. Cynthia takes care of most of the designing, assisted at times by mother Margaretha. Although Margaretha is officially retired, Cynthia continues to call her mother back into active service. She says working closely with her mother has had a positive impact on her design abilities. “We’re very much alike but very different, too. She taught me everything I know. I can’t imagine not working with her. We have similar styles, mine is a little more modern, she can do more traditional things – which is the way we like it. We see a lot of each other, and my dad, too. It’s all I know. The family business, it’s your life.” Both mother and daughter are “heavily influenced” by European design, harking back to Margaretha’s early years.
A part-time designer and help from relatives complement the shop staff. “We are not above calling in the grandkids for reinforcements,” admits Cynthia.
The store has a reputation for offering unique products and its atmosphere puts both male and female shoppers at ease. “Men feel very comfortable here. We can talk about the age and architecture of the house while their flowers or gifts are being wrapped. Sometimes flowers shops are not the most comfortable places for men and our house offers a nice distraction for them,” says Cynthia.
Besides home-improvement fans, the clientele varies considerably. “We have everyone from corporate accounts, to the home décor customer, to the teen in love, to the man in the doghouse,” laughs Cynthia. “We love what we do,” she adds.
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The view from outside of the shop and it’s 131-year old heritage property.
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Brides also make up a large part of the florist’s clientele, as weddings are a Champlain speciality. “Wedding sales have doubled in the past three years,” says Cynthia. In fact, a bride-to-be will often approach Cynthia on the advice of her mother – whose own wedding bouquet was designed by Margaretha. Sales of fresh flowers have increased thanks to an increase in weddings. While giftware sales are up, sales of garden décor items have levelled off. Cynthia attributes this levelling off to the ever-increasing competition from big box stores, hardware stores and even drug stores.
When asked what advice Cynthia has for other retail florists, she offers this: “Don’t rest on your laurels. Continue to change with the times and be prepared to diversify. Don’t ever be afraid to try something new. I think this is important for the florist as well as the customer. It keeps you from getting bored and even burning out. If you don’t love what you do then you’d better do something to change it. Also, if you see staff that are losing interest or just losing steam, change it up for them as well!”
Looking forward from inside a centuries-old house is not too difficult. So what are the family’s plans? “My mother would like to officially retire someday, although, as anyone who owns a family business knows, this may never happen.” As for Cynthia, she’s hoping “to continue to grow the business and try to stay current and positive.”
Cynthia also plans to keep the business all in the family: “We have our eye on the future in the form of a ten-year-old girl – my niece! She’s showing great promise as a junior designer.”
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