Some new, eye-grabbing store renovations and a new business partnership are just a couple of the highlights at the Broderick Garden Centre in Outlook these days.
The long-time Saskatchewan Avenue staple celebrated its grand reopening on Saturday, January 6 and almost from the get-go, the public definitely made its presence felt, filling the store virtually wall-to-wall at one point and taking in the refreshed look of the location while enjoying refreshments from two local vendors; donuts from the Outlook Bakery and coffee from Prairie Bean Roastery, as well as the chance to win some door prizes.
Store owner Kim Olson said the renovation plans had been in the works for months, and the idea was to put a bigger spotlight on the business’s bestselling items.
“There’s nothing really different about the store, except for the fact that we’ve added the fresh-cut flowers,” said Kim. “We planned this renovation probably about three or four months ago. It came as a discussion because general business practices tell you to devote a larger percentage of your floor space to the larger percentage of dollar value that’s generated. So in here, the fabric and sewing end of it is a bigger business for us, and as I’ve expanded it, we just ran out of room. So it became, ‘How do we deal with that?’, and this was the plan, so for the last few weeks, that’s what we’ve been doing!”
Perhaps most exciting for local flower fans is the new relationship forged between Kim and Laura Jones, who ran the Outlook Florist flower and gift shop for years. Jones will be lending her skills to the shop, making floral arrangements and prepping orders as they come in. The agreement allows for Laura to do something she’s always loved, while deferring the business side of things to Kim.
Olson says getting into the flower business was borne out of a question that she has received from time to time from the store’s customers.
“The biggest thing was that I have people coming into the store and asking for cut flowers on a somewhat periodic basis,” said Kim. “Right before Christmas, a really good friend and her family came in for flowers for her husband’s funeral, and the florist wasn’t open, so they came here looking for stuff. I did what I could, and it was really hard, so I talked to Laura and just asked, ‘Why did you get out of the business?’ Her response was that she just didn’t like the business part of it. She loves to do it, but just doesn’t love the business end. I said, ‘If I did the business, I pay the bills, I take care of all the business end of it, and you come in here and make the beautiful arrangements, would you be interested?’”
“Absolutely,” finished Laura. “We’re a perfect fit.”
Olson is happy to have Jones as part of the team at Broderick Garden Centre, even on a flexible schedule that works for all parties involved.
“It’s great because she can call her time her own, and I just let her know when something needs to be done,” said Kim. “She can do things whenever it works for her schedule, as she’s a busy girl as well, and I just take care of getting the product and paying for it.”
On display during the grand reopening were a number of floral arrangements that were ready to go home with anyone who may have been looking to spruce up their home.
“Today, we have some beautiful fresh roses, alstroemeria, miniature carnations and daisies,” said Laura. “I’ve got a few nice arrangements done up and ready to go if anyone wanted to take any of them today.”
Jones is excited to be back doing something that she’s always had a knack for, and she says she’ll be sticking around as long as people are looking for flowers and arrangements.
“This week was only my first one getting started with this after Kim and Paul did the renovations, but I’ll be here as much as I’m needed!” said Laura.
Olson was glad to see such a busy turnout for the store’s grand reopening, and she says everyone at the Broderick Garden Centre is grateful for the support shown by the community.
“It’s been going excellent,” said Kim. “I wish I could track the amount of people who’ve been through here today. It’s just been a great turnout and we’re really happy with how things turned out. We’ve had great support from the community, and I feel like when you walk through, it’s almost like you’re walking into a Michaels store or something. We’re all pretty excited about it!”
