For over 40 years, Preston Floral and Gift has been a staple for those looking to celebrate or remember loved ones, find just the right gift or for those in search of a sweet treat.
Ten years ago, Preston native Ashley LaFleur bought the shop in hopes of continuing her family’s legacy.
“My grandma (Rita Simonson) owned the shop for 30-plus years. I helped her on the weekends and during the summer a little bit. My friends told me, ‘You’re going to own that shop one day,’ and I said, no I’m never going to do that,” LaFleur shared.
But, as fate would have it when Simonson decided she wanted to retire LaFleur felt she had a decision to make, “It was either close the doors or I buy it. So I bought it. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, so when it happened it was like ‘oh yeah, this is what I’m supposed to do.’ All the pieces just started to fall together at that point in my life.”
LaFleur knew this wasn’t an endeavor she would have to take on by herself, though. Her mother, Denise Case, had been working at the shop and continued on after LaFleur took ownership. And she wasn’t the only one, “I knew my grandma wasn’t going to leave me high and dry, she wanted me to succeed. And now my husband Phil delivers for me in the summer and my aunts and cousins help, too.”
After 10 years, LaFleur has experienced the rollercoaster that comes with being a business owner, especially during the COVID years where she had to learn how to pivot and adjust her business amid a constantly changing world.
“It’s nice being your own boss. It can be really challenging, though. You have to work until the job is done,” LaFleur expressed. “Making all the decisions is stressful, but luckily I have a good support system.”
Despite the challenges, LaFleur’s love for the shop and her customers has made every experience worth it. “There has never been a day where I thought I don’t want to go to work … I get to celebrate all these things and make connections with all the people. I love that,” LaFleur said.
While LaFleur has made the shop her own, the shop’s long-time customers can still find some of the products her grandma stocked.
“She had Abdallah chocolates, so I kept that and a lot of the wholesalers. It’s been fun changing things up, but for the most part the store is pretty much the same,” she explained.
Besides the colorful flowers and a delightful plant selection, the shop offers a range of products from home décor, to children’s toys, sweet treats, and enough gift options to charm anyone.
LaFleur has also been focused on bringing more local products into the shop. Besides the Abdallah line, which are Minnesota made, she also carries Iowa made candles and locally made cards, all of which are sure to be popular during two of the shop’s biggest events.
The Holiday Open House will be held on November 7 and 8 and Small Business Saturday falls on November 29. And when the store is closed, residents and visitors can find LaFleur’s flowers at Preston Foods.
Being a florist in a small town is a unique experience as they are a part of people’s lives from the beginning to the end. LaFleur is there for the happy celebrations of births, anniversaries, birthdays, prom and weddings, but she is also there for the hardest moments.
This dedication to her customers and her hometown is why LaFleur and Preston Floral and Gift will continue to succeed in carrying on the family legacy for years to come.
“I’m so glad this fell into my lap, because I really feel like this is what I’m supposed to do. I feel so happy here. I love being close to home and being able to help people,” LaFleur concluded.
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