Shop Local, Shop Downtown : La Petite Jaune Fleur
Posted: Thursday, February 10th 2011
After 25 years of work as a safety specialist in the petrochemical industry, Laura Cadrin decided that she needed a change. Growing plants and flowers was always a joy of Laura’s, and she decided to make that her new career. After considering opening a greenhouse, she found her current location, and saw a perfect opportunity to open a floral design studio, La Petite Jaune Fleur.
La Petite Jaune Fleur opened in April of 2002, and has become one of the downtown’s most recognizable businesses. La Petite Jaune Fleur has a surprisingly wide variety of products and services. In addition to the everyday floral arrangements for home and business, corporate arrangements, and gift wear, Laura specializes in weddings and other large events. Laura believes strongly in supporting local producers and businesses, she carries Rocky Mountain Soap products, produced in Alberta, and has a small art gallery of local artists’ works in the front of her shop. Laura delivers all over Central Alberta, including Sylvan Lake, Ponoka, Delburne, Innisfail, and pretty much everywhere you can think of.
When asked why she operates her shop, Laura outlines her customers as one of the main reasons. “My customers believe in local business and will go further to shop locally and support Red Deer businesses. They are the types of people who shop for the perfect item, who will hunt at the small specialty shops for something unique.” Laura states.
“Seeing the joy that my arrangements bring, and the love for my designs is the reason I have my shop”. Laura states. “I remember one Valentine’s Day a young man came in and bought a dozen long stem roses for his mother. He told me that nobody had ever brought her flowers before, and when I delivered them, she began to cry. And so did me. It is moments like these that drive me”.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Laura would like to remind everyone to take care of the people you care about. “Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers, and it isn’t commercialized”, she explains “It is a time to honour your friends and family too. It is a day to take a moment and recognize the important people in your life, the people you love and care for. She also would like to let everyone know that she is still taking orders for Valentine’s Day. “If you want something specific, we can do it, and we will make sure that your Valentine’s Day order is delivered on Valentine’s Day, even if we are delivering until midnight”. You can be assured that your order from La Petite Jaune Fleur will arrive on time.
This past Christmas Laura held a wreath making workshop and she hopes to continue with similar workshops, so her clientele can learn to make arrangements too.
Laura loves having La Petite Jaune Fleur as a part of the downtown. “The downtown has a fabulous feel to it”, states Cadrin. “And there is great history here. Before I opened my shop, I would come downtown whenever I had time. I like the specialty shops where you can find something different. The shops and the feel of the downtown is unmatchable.”
Laura would like to invite everyone to come down and check out her shop, La Petite Jaune Fleur. “Please come on down and take a look. Even if you don’t need to buy anything, its always nice to stop and smell the flowers.”
La Petite Jaune Fleur can be found at 4928 Ross Street in downtown Red Deer.
