MINDEMOYA – Islanders were delighted to see a new floral shop in Mindemoya with over 100 people attending the grand opening and receiving a flower. Named e’s Flowers and Gifts by Design, the business is situated in the Rock and Rail building and is owned by Annalee Cooper who lives in Big Lake with her husband Tim.
Ms. Cooper met her husband when she attended a Christadelphian camp on Manitoulin and the couple lived in the United States for eight years before returning to the Island and opening Cooper Wood Products, complete with sawmill. Ms. Cooper is not sure exactly what the Cooper boys have, but noted, with a laugh, that another family member married Australian Ashlyn Cooper who worked for a time at Mindemoya’s Bank of Montreal branch. She also spoke of Uncle Paul Cooper who lives on Manitoulin and family members Lloyd and Janice who ran the Farquhar creamery at one time and owned a store in Big Lake. The couple now lives in Hamilton.
Ms. Cooper has always loved flowers, as did her parents, and she is self-taught in the florist field which started as a hobby. She is excited to open the shop and explained the use of e’s as she was nicknamed ‘E’ as a child.
“I have a lot of different planters that can also be used for storage and thinking-of-you gifts that go well with flowers,” Ms. Cooper commented while describing her business.
Indeed, there are all kinds of treasures to be found in this shop as well as flowers. There are large Manitoulin mugs that were designed by Ms. Cooper’s childhood friend, graphic artist Amanda Waite of Seattle. These mugs are exceptional and have paintings of everything from the swing bridge to deer, Bridal Veil Falls, maple leaves, hawberries, a trillium, sailboat, canoe and skidoo, a salmon and others. As well, there are serving trays, metal critters, including a snail, rooster and birds for gardens or indoors, decorative hanging art, photo frames, small plush toys, plaques, greeting cards and designer vases.
Plants include succulents that Ms. Cooper says are really easy to take care of, and, “they cohabitate well,” she added. There are also jade plants and orchids with enormous white flowers. “We can order special plants,” Ms. Cooper said, explaining that the orders come in every week. She also noted that arrangements can be done for special events, weddings and that casket saddles and wreaths can be made for funerals.
There are gifts for teachers in this shop and Ms. Cooper commented that the school her children attend is Central Manitoulin Public School (CMPS) and that the school is very well run. “The principal is engaging and sincere,” she said, adding that she is floored by the services and talent on Manitoulin.
Ms. Cooper is grateful to have secured the delivery service operated by Jeff Bebonang of M’Chigeeng. Jeff’s Taxi service will deliver floral arrangements for e’s to Espanola and Sudbury as well as to any place on Manitoulin. The delivery is next day.
e’s Flowers and Gifts by Design is open from 10 am to 3 pm on Tuesdays, 10 am to 5 pm Wednesday through Friday and 9 am to 12 pm on Saturdays. The shop is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
For more information, visit this special shop, call Annalee at 705-603-0715 or email annalee@esflowers.ca
