“Is Dale not working today?”
This is one of the most common questions fielded by Maureen TenHoopen and Tasha Post, staff of Blooming Dale’s. The answer to that question is yes, Dale is generally working – perhaps just not within the walls of Blooming Dale’s. Working part-time for the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation means that Dale is not in the flower shop full time, but that doesn’t mean that she’s not an integral part of the Blooming Dale’s team. Most delivery customers still see Dale on a daily basis, and she is in contact with staff daily to ensure that customer expectations are met and exceeded. She still does all of the purchasing for the shop. However, when you come into the shop, the friendly faces you are most likely to see are TenHoopen’s and Post’s. TenHoopen is an accomplished floral designer and can create unique floral designs in fresh and permanent botanicals, sure to please the most discriminating client. Post’s expertise lies in home décor and shop merchandising. She creates the warm and inviting displays in the front of the shop. They are a wonderful tag team, and they both enjoy sharing their gifts and talents with customers.
Nov. 1, 2012 marked the 10th anniversary of Blooming Dale’s in Drayton and in true entrepreneurial fashion, the shop seems to be reinventing itself to serve the Mapleton area. People seem to be focusing on streamlining and simplifying their lives and homes, so there has been a decline in the collectibles and small gift items that were once so popular. Dale Franklin and her staff have responded to this trend by shifting focus to gourmet foods and home décor.
Although the primary focus of Blooming Dale’s staff will always be to exceed your expectations of a full service floral shop, they have a large showroom and would like to offer additional products and services to clients. Longtime, loyal customers have been pleased by the change and have been referring others to Blooming Dale’s to see some of the new product.
Feige’s Gourmet Dressings, The Garlic Box, Wildly Delicious, and Perth Pepper and Pestle gourmet foods have all been popular additions to the shop. All are Ontario companies, and will interest and excite diverse tastebuds. Customers can stop in to grab a stocking stuffer or two to try over the Christmas season.
In the showroom, new furniture items are sure to suit many décor styles. Blooming Dale’s is especially excited to showcase “Born in a Barn” home décor items – primitive style furniture, featuring antique tin and architectural items reclaimed for use in newly constructed cupboards, and other décor items, all made in Ontario.
Also available is a new line of contemporary styled accent furniture. Anyone looking for something different and unique may find just the beautiful piece they are looking for. Need something to make a great space even better? Perhaps a new piece of artwork is the answer. Blooming Dale’s has a gorgeous line of fine art photography prints by Canadian artist Andrew Collett. They are simply stunning glimpses of northern Ontario’s landscape.
The shop is a bustle of activity heading into the last few weeks before Christmas. Shoppers can make life a little easier and finish up their Christmas shopping here at home, without the stress and headache of travelling.
You will always receive exemplary service and a smile to light your way out of Blooming Dale’s.
