Dear Editor,
Shoutout to Gen Labelle and the Kemptville Flower Shop
Once in a while, if you are lucky, you meet a special person who makes a huge impact on your life. That person for me is Gen Labelle, owner of the Flower Shop and Garden Centre.
When I met Gen, she and her husband Mike ran a landscape company, Intricate Interlock, which they still operate today, creating beautiful landscapes and gardens. My husband and I had just moved to eQuinelle and hired Gen and Mike to do all our landscaping, from interlock to shrubs and flowers, to planting all our trees. We developed a real friendship from then on.
One day, Gen shared her dream of purchasing the Kemptville Flower Shop. After a lot of hard work, determination and planning, she became the proud owner of this establishment.
I had the privilege of witnessing first hand just how she runs this business during the days leading up to and including Mothers Day. So many things happening at once, but Gen has a hand on all of it. I have never seen so many flowers in one place. I had no idea just how much preparation goes into transforming these beautiful plants into stunning bouquets and arrangements. The flowers and greenery are of the highest quality, Gen does not accept anything less. She and her talented staff, an amazing group of ladies, work tirelessly to make sure every single flower is at its best before being placed in the hands of customers and delivered to all the mothers out there. Keeping tabs on all the deliveries is a task in itself.
Kudos to the drivers who delivered all the beautiful arrangements, and at a time that was convenient to every customer. To make sure everyone got served, she stayed open on Mothers Day for all those last minute orders and walk-ins. I told her she should be home being pampered by her family. Knowing that all her customers were happy, and then going home to spend time with Mike and the kids, is what makes her happy.
Gen’s knowledge of flowers, plants, and trees is nothing less than impressive. She adds a personal touch to all the work that goes on in that shop. She knows most of her customers by name and takes the time to greet them, ask about their families and sharing stories with them, all this among the chaos of trying to provide everyone with the products they ordered. She does all this with a smile on her face. She runs that shop like a well oiled machine. Gen is also very generous in donating to causes throughout the community. She is the first to offer a helping hand.
Gen’s husband, Mike, is extremely supportive and plays a big role in the everyday work of the Flower Shop. He and Gen are an amazing team. Along with the Flower Shop, they also operate a beautiful garden centre, located just behind the Flower Shop, offering a wide variety of all flowers, plants, decorative garden ornaments and pots, soil, mulch, fertilizer, and much more.
We are indeed very fortunate to have Gen and Mike and the Flower Shop in our community.
Claudia Shepheard
