A new open sign has appeared in an Île-des-Chênes strip mall. Fleuriste XO Flowers and Gifts is open for business and ready to serve customers throughout the region
“We’re a family- and community-supported business,” says Brenda Chaput, owner and head florist.
Chaput’s mother, partner, and sons also help out, providing assistance with customer service, flower and plant care, and delivery. And while the trendy little shop provides a great destination for flowers and gifts, Chaput emphasizes her desire to cater to the southeast through speedy delivery services.
For a nominal fee of $5 to $25, bouquets and arrangements can be delivered to St. Malo, Ste. Agathe, Winnipeg, Richer, and everywhere in between.
Since her June 6 opening, Chaput has already been booked by nine bridal parties. She anticipates another large source of business will be corporate clients who appreciate the personalized touch and ease of shopping that a qualified florist can provide.
As a small business owner, though, she works hard to provide top-notch product and service to every customer who calls or walks through her door. As well as family, she has one part-time floral designer and two part-time bilingual staff trained to provide the best possible customer service.
Her spacious shop at 597 Meadowlark Boulevard has a modern-chic theme with ceilings open to the ductwork and walls painted in black and garden-green. The barnwood accents and antique windows lend well to the rural setting.
“When designing this store, [I decided] to have a lot of space for foot traffic,” she says. “It’s nice if we can display [arrangements] on the floor and not have them all squished into the cooler. I like it when people can walk around and see product [all over the store].”
Here, shoppers will find both premade arrangements and assortments of fresh-cut flowers. The inventory, Chaput says, will be well stocked for every holiday with flowers coming in from around the world.
Chaput is able to fill same-day custom floral arrangements of almost any variety and size. For special orders, customers should expect to give her one day’s notice.
“A special order is if you don’t have a second choice in mind,” Chaput says. “So, if there’s something you want in a very specific color, variety, and size, then that’s a special order.”
To round out her business, Chaput also carries an assortment of gifts, candles, and cards, as well as a selection of items by local producers and artists. Among those you’ll find pottery by Île-des-Chênes resident Michael Astill and whimsical art pieces created by Susan Hope of Yellow Door Art. You’ll also find fresh honey and preserves by Marg’s Organics.
“The nice thing about being a small business is to be able to support other small business,” Chaput says. “And the nice thing about being an artist is to be able to invite other artists to showcase their work.”
The showroom includes a coffee bar and bistro tables on the front patio for those who just want to enjoy a great cup of joe with a friend.
Beginning this fall, she’ll be offering workshops on floral design, indoor fairy gardens, and Christmas art. Classes will be held on Thursday nights and will be advertised on the company’s Facebook page.
Without question, Chaput loves what she does and she’s been doing it for more than 30 years.
“At 15, my first job was in a flower shop and it’s lived inside me forever,” she says. “[I love] to express myself through flowers, through nature, just even being able to create something. There’s an even bigger satisfaction in being able to create something for someone [else]. Their appreciation for what you’ve created is just heartwarming.”