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Bern’s Flowers celebrates 40th Anniversary in Alliston

October 1, 2015   ·   0 Comments

A customer recently visited Bern’s Flowers & Gifts, and made owner Lachlan McGurk smile inwardly when the man, whilst speaking to a friend on his cell said “I’m at Bern’s”. Those three words used in isolation told Lachlan that the visitor took for granted that his friend would know who and where Bern’s was.
It reinforced to Lachlan that Bern’s, (celebrating its 40th year), is one of those few retail stores in downtown Alliston that stand as a landmark. A landmark aided of course with its beautiful huge front porch perpetually bursting with floral bloom, like the pot of gold at the end of a beautiful rainbow. Perhaps Bern’s wealth of fresh colourful wonderment is enough to create a sort of rainbow of its own.
But Bern’s hits all your senses at once as the aroma from the large range of scented candles and flowers is enough to waken even the weariest of nostrils!
Our sense of hearing is also complimented as the soothing crackle sound from the large range of Yankee ‘crackle’ candles plays gently on the ear.
A forth sense touched is Lachlan and wife Sharon’s (co-owner and floral expert for over three decades) sense of pride in their latest addition to Bern’s, a splendorous 200 square foot dedicated wedding consultation area. With its 13ft mural backdrop, crystal chandelier and large screen TV showing off their magnificent wedding portfolio, one is left confident that Bern’s plans to remain a strong pillar of the downtown community for another four decades.
It’s evident that the McGurk’s appreciate each and every customer, and even offer them a free loyalty program where they build points that can quickly lead to large discounts. It’s clear also that they appreciate their 10 part-time and full-time staff. Sharon says that maintaining such extremely high levels of quality can be very demanding and requires expert floral designers, and that safely delivering those designs across South Simcoe with a big smile no matter what the weather, takes a special kind of driver too!
Bern’s really does live up to its slogan: “Bern’s, The Treat Of Victoria Street”!
The ‘Bern’s Bunch’ celebrated 40 blooming years on September 26th. There was live music, wine and cheese, a prize giveaway and more!

Photos by Wendy Gabrek
Bern’s Flowers owners Lachlan and Sharon McGurk, celebrate their 40th Anniversary last Saturday with members of council. From left: Mayor Rick Milne, Lachlan and Sharon, and councillors Donna Jebb, JJ Paul Whiteside, Fran Sainsbury, deputy mayor Jamie Smith and Marc Biss.

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