By S. Casselman/Leader staff
MORRISBURG — Owners may come and go, but there has been a flower shop in Morrisburg for decades and it looks as though there will be one here for several years to come.
Mike O’Brien and Frank Fralic, owners of Cardinal Flowers and Gift Gallery, have been satisfying the horticultural needs of area residents for more than 11 years. Originally located in the Morrisburg Village Plaza, the shop changed its address in July of this year.
Now located in Unit 2 at 147 Main Street, Morrisburg, the shop is bigger and better than before, but more importantly, it’s still here in South Dundas.
“We’ve been here for 11 years and we are still here,” O’Brien said.
The new location provides double the space, allowing the store to carry a bigger variety and quantity of items from flowers to figurines, soaps, teas, fudge, and more. The gift line has expanded to include options for all price points, ensuring affordability for the masses.
Despite a growing gift inventory, O’Brien said fresh flower arrangements and plants remain the shop’s focus. A much bigger walk-in cooler allows for additional product and, if clients are looking for a variety of flower or plant not in stock, store staff will do their best to bring it into the Morrisburg location.
Cardinal Flowers also offers delivery service and, for those who are unable to physically make it to the shop, flowers and gifts can be ordered and paid for over the phone or online (www.cardinalflowersandgifts.ca).
“We have awesome staff that provide really good service,” O’Brien said. “It’s attention to detail that you don’t get in bigger box stores.”
The store currently has three full-time employees and is in the process of hiring a part-time employee. There is also extra staff covering the holiday period.
When asked how the staff feel about the shop’s new home, O’Brien said: “They love the openness and airiness. It’s brighter and more modern. It’s relaxing, almost spa-like. Tranquil.”
The move allowed O’Brien and Fralic to bring in a few new lines of gift items, including fresh fudge, which has been a huge hit, O’Brien said. Currently, the fudge line is filled with holiday flavours. In addition to the sweet treat, Cardinal Flowers also carries a line of gourmet foods. One of the more popular items is the hot chocolate, including the newest flavour, Maple Bacon.
Non-edible items include anything from decorative figurines to soaps and lotions. The Main Street shop carries the Willow Tree figurine collection. The only Bradford Exchange figurine dealer in the area, Cardinal Flowers and Gift Gallery gives Bradford collectors the opportunity to buy these items free of shipping and handling fees.
The store’s Crabtree and Evelyn line of soaps, lotions, and perfumes is very popular, O’Brien said. They’ve recently added a collection of fragrant soaps from The Perth Soap Co., which, O’Brien added, are triple milled soaps. They lather beautifully and last a very long time, he said.
The owners try to offer as many local products as possible, O’Brien said.
“We stand behind our product,” he added. “I just believe that’s the right thing to do. We’re not perfect, but we’re certainly striving for it.”
The store carries a selection of wine-related items, a line of teas and tea paraphernalia, greeting cards, and, real, as well as artificial, plants of all kinds.
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