Raisins&Roses

Flower power

As soon as customers walk through the door of Best Buds Flower Company, they notice something special sitting next to the cash register: a big jar of freshly baked cookies.

“If you’re buying a gift for someone else, shouldn’t you also get a treat yourself?” asks Kimberly Wagil, the 25-year-old shop owner—and the source of those tantalizing Oatmeal-Raisin Roundies.

Three years ago, her sister Cynthia was working at Best Buds, and needed to take a leave of absence. Kimberly, a bible school student at the time, was asked if she could fill in for a while. She agreed and soon found flower arranging fun and fulfilling, so she decided to stay on full time.

When Best Bud’s owners decided to retire a few months ago, they offered to sell the shop to her. It was an offer she couldn’t refuse. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Well-situated in Oliver Square West, between London Drugs and Office Depot, Best Buds enjoys a fair amount of walk-in traffic, mostly by area residents. The majority of customers are offices downtown and nearby. “There’s always birthdays and anniversaries, thank-you bouquets to clients, personal orders and,” what Kimberly calls, “just-because orders.” And, she loves the challenge and creativity—“the good part”—of coordinating weddings packages.

In addition to running a successful flower shop, Kimberly remains active in her church as well as the community at large. She regularly donates floral arrangements and gift certificates to various fundraisers and charity events, including Edmonton Rotary Club’s annual event, Dance for the Kids. “Obviously you can’t say yes to everyone who asks, but you do what you can.”

Although Best Buds currently has only one location in Oliver Square, Kimberly hopes she can find the time and energy over the next few years to opening more locations across the city. “As soon as I have a few more years experience under my belt,” she adds with a smile.

More shops… Hmmm… more signature cookies.

Photo by Teresa Wallstne