In the heart of St. Albert, a city known for its rich history and vibrant community, stands a family-owned business that has been spreading joy and warmth through their beautiful flower arrangements for over 51 years. Welcome to Klondyke Flowers, a local florist shop that has been serving the area since 1980, crafting high-quality products at competitive prices for home flower buyers, gift givers, corporate buyers, event planners, and funeral homes.
Shannon DesRosiers, the owner of Klondyke Flowers, is passionate about her work and believes in the power of flowers as an expression of love, friendship, and compassion. She took over the reins seven years ago and since then has been committed to maintaining the legacy of the shop while also breathing new life into it.
"We are truly honored to be a part of our customer’s stories," she says.
With a variety of customers and their budgets in mind, she and her team create high-end custom designs that accommodate everyone's needs, all while providing exceptional customer service.
Before entering the floral industry, DesRosiers used to be a project manager in the oil and gas sector. When the market slowed down, she decided to jump into a new industry that had always held a special place in her heart – floristry.
"I've always had a passion for flowers. I wanted something that was very positive and full of joy and could bring smiles to people," she recalls.
The transition from the corporate world to owning a florist shop has been a rewarding journey for DesRosiers. She enjoys being a part of people's stories, creating beautiful arrangements that help express their emotions during special moments, even during the sad ones like funerals.
"Arrangements are emotional and we convey that through the designs," she explains. “It may seem odd to hear me say I like making funeral arrangements, but it really goes back to being with people during the milestones in their lives. Flowers help tell a story, even when that story is coming to an end.”
One of the challenges that DesRosiers and many other local florists face is the rise of call centre florists.
"I feel bad for the end consumer because they are not getting what they are ordering," she notes. “It’s very tricky because even if you Google our name, an autoboot can scrape and make it look like we are the top results. But a large call centre, usually located in America, has paid for that spot and paid for it to look like our site. If you wind up clicking a sponsored link, you are directed to the call centre and wind up paying US dollars for an arrangement that looks nothing like what you see on our site. Please be very careful to avoid both disappointment and to ensure you are shopping local from florists that actually care about you, your order, and the end product. Ensure your click goes to our homepage or call our shop to place the order.
DesRosiers’ commitment to her community extends beyond her shop. As a part of Rotary, she supports various local charities and initiatives.
"We do a lot of support in the community, and Rotary is a big supporter of the food bank," she shares.
Klondyke Flowers is more than just a florist shop. It's a testament to DesRosiers’ passion for flowers and her commitment to her community. Through her beautiful arrangements, she continues to spread joy one bloom at a time, creating a lasting impact on people’s lives and their stories.
Learn more online, Facebook, and Instagram, and stay tuned to Klondyke Flower’s blog.
