Gem of a Shop: Floral Gems Has Flowers for All Occasions

FLORAL GEMS

CUT FLOWER & CANDY BOUQUETS

• House Plants • Weddings • Gift Baskets

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BARBARA BONTRAGER 574.642.0672

FLORAL GEMS HAS FLOWERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Barbara Bontrager, owner of Floral Gems in Millersburg, feels lucky to work at a job she loves.

“I feel very fortunate to own a business with flowers,” Bontrager says. “I really enjoy working here every day. I started working with flowers and plants when I was very young, and it was something I was able to really learn about, and just get better at arranging.”

Bontrager notes that she learned a lot from previous employers.

“I worked for Glory Gardens, and the owners, Glen and Nora Yoder, were very kind, and taught me a lot about both flowers and customer service,” she says. “I took over the business from them when they were ready to sell it, and I opened my shop on December 1, 2020.”

Bontrager adds that she was able to keep many Glory Gardens customers, which has helped her tremendously.

“I have had quite a few loyal customers who also enjoyed Glory Gardens, and really like Floral Gems too,” she says. “I’ve done exceptionally well, especially during the pandemic, and business has been very steady. My customers have been very nice, and have wanted to do business with me again. I was fortunate to buy a great business that was already established.”

Bontrager already knew many of the regular customers, and says this helped to get her business moving in the right direction.

“When you are starting your own business, there is nothing better than familiar and friendly people,” she says. “I’m glad I have been able to use my positive experiences at Glory Gardens and build on them. I love it when people want to come back and do more business with us. That’s such a great feeling.”

Bontrager says she was busy during the

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winter holidays and Valentine’s Day.

“It was so nice being able to get a lot of orders for people during those holidays,” she says. “I was able to sell a lot of fresh-cut flowers. I sold dozens of roses on Valentine’s Day.”

Bontrager also specializes in houseplants.

“We have a nice selection of fresh-cut houseplants that have been popular,” she says. “I have been able to get some nice repeat customers from those. I sometimes sell five or six houseplants in one gift basket.”

Bontrager says certain larger plants have also been strong sellers at Floral Gems.

“We have large tropical houseplants that can get pretty big,” Bontrager says. “I’ve received some nice compliments from customers who have told me the tropical houseplants really make their rooms look better. We have a big variety of houseplants. We also have a good selection of palms and snake plants, and a lot of bright, dainty flowers that really light up a room.”

Bontrager adds that her gift baskets have also been highly popular.

“One of the nice things about the gift baskets is that they are for all ages,” she says. “We have some that are very nice for teenagers and kids, and a great selection for adults as well.”

Bontrager says some of the most popular items at Floral Gems are their candy bar bouquets.

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“We offer every kind of candy bar there is for our bouquets. We have Snickers, Milky Way, 3 Musketeers, Fast Break, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Hershey’s, and a whole lot more. Everyone loves receiving them.”

Bontrager receives valuable assistance from her daughter, Genieza, who also works at Floral Gems. “It’s so nice to be able to work with family, and get to have a family business,” she says. “That really means a lot to me.”

Bontrager says Floral Gems makes deliveries, which has helped the business considerably.

“We do floral arrangements and gift baskets for all occasions,” she says. “We can do them for birthdays, weddings, funerals, reunions and other events. We are always looking for new customers, and we would love to hear from more people in the community. We want to help them with that special floral arrangement or gift.”

To purchase your next gift or bouquet of flowers, contact Floral Gems at 574-642-0672.

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