Longtime Elora florist closing storefront, moving online

ELORA – A new chapter is blooming for Elora’s Drimmie Florist as the long-standing business transitions from its physical location on Metcalf Street to an online-based shop. 

“We’re one of the longest running businesses,” said  owner Anna Drimmie.

 “Fifty-three years is a pretty huge deal, so people just kind of know us as a staple in town.”

The business, as many locals know it, began with Drimmie’s father, David Drimmie.

“My dad started it when he was 19,” said Drimmie. 

“He went into landscaping right after high school. He worked at Belgian Nursery and that’s actually where they encouraged him to kind of get into florals.”

Her father purchased a floral business without any experience, save for some business courses.

 “He had never had any formal training or anything. He actually just grew up just outside of town on a turkey farm, but obviously they saw something in him, that kind of creative side,” Drimmie said.

Though the business has relocated before, it has been situated at its current location for 38 years. 

“Of course, this building, everyone associates as Drimmie’s building, and obviously we love that,” said Drimmie.

She said she will miss seeing customers’ faces entering the shop, but says the move is “the best thing that could happen” for her and her family. 

“I can tell that people are a little sad with us moving. A lot of people just love coming in the store,” said Drimmie.

“In the middle of winter, you want to come in. You see the flowers, you get the aroma, you get the clothing. I completely understand why it will be missed in town, but for me, personally, I see this as just the best news ever.”

The transition will allow her to better balance time between passions for florals and family, specifically her young son.

Drimmie said she was working when her son was two-and-a-half months old – he’s now four and a half. “You just kind of realize how quick time goes.”Drimmie said it’s hard to leave behind a building she spent much of her life exploring and working in, and she said she’s excited for a new chapter for a business she has been running since since her parents retired, in 2015.

Drimmie is in the process of having a floral suite constructed at her home, where she will complete orders. 

Orders will continue being delivered; the only difference is customers will can no longer walk in to place or pick up orders.

It may seem like a drastic change, Drimmie said, but most of her business already comes from online and phone orders.

“I would say about 80% of the orders are phone or online, but online is probably still 60% of that,” said Drimmie. 

“The phone and online is kind of like the main business.”

Drimmie said she hopes the floral suite will be ready by November, with plans to moving out the current building in December. 

Drimmie said she’s working hard to avoid any disruptions and is aiming for a smooth transition.