You may have noticed the new signage and the new name of the local business at 312 Main Street North in downtown Moose Jaw.
Untamed Blooms + Botanicals, formerly Ellen's on Main, has been under new ownership for over three years now and features a new look with some
Lee-Ann Allan is hoping to see you soon at her shop.
"Changing the name was always part of the plan. We waited for a time just because Ellen's was such a staple in the community, and I wanted people to get to know me and the different designs that I offer and just, really, kind of get settled into the shop and moving my vision forward," Lee-Ann explained.
"We specialize in floral artistry. Our arrangements are very wildflower like and very nature-inspired and organic. I want people to feel at home when they come into the shop. I want people to know they can buy a smaller bundle that's still just as beautiful as a large arrangement. I also have a lot of plants and plant containers and we have a local section where you'll find locally made products - made by a person and not in a factory. I have candles and a bath line there and I feature local artists," Lee-Ann told us.
Untamed Blooms + Botanicals is more than a flower shop. In fact, Lee-Ann was conducting workshops before the pandemic slowed local business down and she plans on offering them again very soon.
Lee-Ann was born and raised in Moose Jaw but bounced around a little as a child and young adult.
"I decided to move back home about four years ago and did a lot of HR work but always had that creative eye. I tried to start an events and wedding decorating business, but it was really hard working full-time plus being a mom. I was actually at my previous job and posting jobs online and I saw the shop was for sale. I always loved the shop. So, everything just kind of fell into place and I took over. I actually had no floristry experience, but I worked for Ellen for about three weeks and then she stayed on with me for a month and all the staff stayed on. I wouldn't have been able to do this without the staff. They've been absolutely incredible and have stuck by me - they're a huge part of what makes Untamed... untamed," Lee-Ann said.
"I remember when COVID started. I was sitting there wondering what to do. Should I stay open? Should I close my doors? Should I even order flowers? There were a lot of unknowns, but I decided to stay open because we offer deliveries and curbside pick-up. However, I didn't know how busy it would be, so I laid my staff off...and it was actually the busiest time for me. It was either sink or swim and boy did I swim!", Lee-Ann laughed.
"Being in the shop alone empowered me. I had the opportunity to just really be there and figure out what I wanted the shop to be - exactly mine and my vision for it. It just kind of flourished through the pandemic...I'm extremely grateful for the support from the community. I was able to bring some joy to people through pandemic. Flowers are beautiful and they cheer people up, so it was a pleasure being able to do that for people."
"It was absolutely incredible, and it brought tears to my eyes. Here we were during such a hard time and all the unknowns, and we have our community supporting us. Like I said, I will be forever grateful," Lee-Ann said.
Lee-Ann says she and her staff work hard every day to make sure they have plenty of fresh flowers in-stock on a day-to-day basis and that's more difficult than it sounds.
"I have two main suppliers, one in Manitoba and one in BC and they get flowers from all over the world - we have flowers from Holland, South Africa and Ecuador - all over the world. They're fresh and unique types of flowers that you can't just get anywhere."
And Lee-Ann wants local shoppers to know she has flowers and gifts at affordable prices.
"I want people to be able to get something beautiful...I think people get intimidated, thinking they have to spend hundreds of dollars...but I have these little weekender bundles, I call them. They're available every Saturday for just $25.00 and they're absolutely beautiful. You just come in, grab them and you go."
We asked Lee-Ann about the new name and how she settled on Untamed Blooms + Botanicals.
"When I decided it was time to change the name, I had all these ideas. I just wanted it to come from the heart...I was literally sitting in the shop, and I closed my eyes, and it just came to me. The untamed part is just being free and easy and wild, loving life and all the beauty of nature...just kind of how I've always been - untamed - just going with the flow and honouring all the beauty and magic of life," Lee-Ann explained.
Lee-Ann says her family and the support she gets from them are a big part of Untamed Blooms + Botanicals.
"I also have my mom in town...she helps out as much as she can. She's my main supporter and encourager. My brothers and my sister live in Alberta but they're always there to support me. And my boyfriend's family. They live here too, and they've just always been there for us through everything," Lee-Ann said proudly.
And as the dust settles on the stressful times, she and her staff and family went through during the pandemic, Lee-Ann is pleased to announce a new partnership that brings a new product line to Untamed Blooms + Botanicals.
"I've decided to team up with Sommer Love Herbs. Sommer Hendry Amare is a local girl who has a bath and body line already. We're teaming up and collaborating to offer an exclusive line at Untamed Blooms + Botanicals using our flowers and greenery to create our very own bath and body line," Lee-Ann said.
You can shop in-person at Untamed Blooms + Botanicals at 312 Main Street North. You can call 306 692 4444 and you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram with a brand-new website being designed this summer.
Untamed Blooms + Botanicals - a local shop operated by local people for local people.
Fri, Apr 26, 8:00 AM
Agriculture, Entry-Level, Full-time
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