The Planted Arrow is Winchester’s funky flower shop, filled with lots of fresh flowers and plants, and great environmentally-friendly gift ideas. The shop features both local garden flowers and tropical imports, and they have a large selection of plants and planters. You can find locally created, unique, environmentally friendly gifts by a select group of skilled artisans. Kelly Windle and her husband Stefan Kohut purchased the former Durant’s Flowers in 2015. After the birth of her first child, her seasonal position with her former employer was replaced, so she and her husband decided it was time to go into business for themselves. An expansion, a move, and a new name allowed her the space for the creative freedom she craved. The name incorporates her two oldest sons’ names, Arthur and Rowen (Arrow), and they are planting their roots (Planted) in this community.
Kelly has over 20 years experience in the floral business. She has an extensive clientele list who seek her out for weddings and events. She specialises in wedding and event design, creating bouquets and centrepieces, as well as unique backdrops and large event pieces. In the last five years, Kelly has participated and initiated styled shoots with other wedding vendors to grow her brand in the industry. The Planted Arrow won Faces Magazine Award in 2020 for Best Wedding Florist.
She has worked with other local businesses to develop more unique shopping experiences with initiatives such as Moonlight Madness in December, and the Garden Party Market launched in 2020, which was a huge hit for both the flower shop and the community. Garden Party Market already has six vendors on board for their 2021 version.
Kelly started her career at a small florist in Renfrew, Ontario. Rays Flowers introduced her to floral design and plants. This experience allowed her to express her creative soul, and helped open a new path in life, allowing her to share her art every day. She pursued the Floral Design program at Algonquin College. She honed her craft by working with various employers, each teaching her a new skill and lesson about herself. Flowers can express some emotions that words cannot.
The focus of the Planted Arrow is to provide quality flowers and giftware, while supporting local Canadian businesses. 90% of the giftware items are Canadian made, and feature local artisans. They are committed to becoming more environmentally friendly by eliminating single-use plastics in the industry and by composting the waste. Kelly has an interest in greenhouse operations and landscaping. This spring, they are going to begin some large gardens on the flower shop property, which will grow flowers for use in the shop. This will both help to secure product, and also keep it local.
The pandemic has brought unique challenges to the Planted Arrow. Flowers and plants make people happy, and as such, they have seen great support from the community as they buy flowers for loved ones. At times, they have not been able to secure products such as flowers and containers. They are currently sourcing new suppliers.
Kelly has worked with the township to get roads closed during the Garden Party Market, in order to allow customers and vendors to spread out. This year, it has been a challenge to get up to date and clear information from the EOHU because of all the rules and restrictions that were implemented.
She misses the customers! Personal interactions are a big part of the flower shop. They enjoy helping people find the perfect gift. This still happens through the internet or phone, but, as Kelly says: “When the customer is in the shop and does a little happy dance, it is so much fun!” They consider themselves blessed to be in this community. Kelly notes that Winchester and the surrounding areas have some great people and businesses that are very supportive. The area has lost some good businesses in 2020. Extra support is always appreciated. Remember, if you can’t get to a business to shop, then please follow them on social media and “like” their posts, share their social media content and contacts, comment on their posts, provide a google review and a reference.
The Planted Arrow is currently sponsoring local musicians through the Rays of Sound Project. This is a program for local sound artist. If you are a local living in North Dundas, and you would like the opportunity to have your song professionally produced, they want to help. Beginning March 1, until December 31, submit your original sound piece to [email protected]. Each month, the Planted Arrow will choose the most fully formed original sound piece for professional production at Kemptville’s Fusion Recording Studio. Include your name, address, and phone number. At year’s end, Rays of Sound Project will produce an album of the winners for sale, with proceeds going towards further funding the Rays of Sound Project, and remaining revenue being donated to a local arts initiatives. If successful, this will be an ongoing annual project. Songs will be owned by their creators.
In an effort to support local, The Planted Arrow is offering their porch to local vendors for daily or weekly rentals. These Porch Pop-Up Shops will run from April to October.
The Planted Arrow hosts Spring Plant Swap. For $5 and one plant, you can participate. The $5 will be donated to Naomi House Women’s Shelter in Winchester.
The Planted Arrow.
535 St Lawrence St, Winchester
613-774-3825
[email protected]
www.theplantedarrow.com