Keirstead's Flower Shop Ltd. of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada was founded by the late Guy G. Keirstead in 1925. Although his original profession was in the insurance business, Guy Keirstead's great passion for flowers drew him into a new endeavor and a new budding business - Keirstead's Flower Shop Limited.

After cultivating and harvesting flowers on the large family homestead in Hampton. Mr.. Keirstead brought them into the City Market by train and sold them from an isle bench. It was from this enterprising beginnings that led him to rent a stall in this historic Market in July 1925 and start the family business, then known as Keirstead & Company.

Saint John City Market, 1874 - 1876

The business operated from the City Market from 1925 to 1946. During that time, Mr.. Keirstead purchased property at the corner of Charlotte and Princess Streets in Uptown Saint John. Keirstead's occupies this same facility at 143 Charlotte Street today. The business has continued to grow over the years and has expanded with the addition of tastefully appointed Wedding Consultation room on the second floor and more cooler space.

Photo: Charlotte Street Shop

It was from this location that Mr.. Keirstead and his three sons, Harold, Donald and Howard worked in the day-to-day operations, supplying Saint John and area residents with the freshest flowers, friendly service and custom arrangements.

After Guy Keirstead's passing in 1961, Donald became president and successfully ran the business from 1956 to 1975. By the mid-1970's, the three sons desired to retire and Fenton, son of Harold, purchased the business. Through the 70's and 80's, the business grew under his management and acquired a number of branch stores starting with Dorine's Flower Centre which Fenton purchased in 1975. Dorine's Flower Centre operated in Kmart Mall, Lancaster until 1996.

Brunswick Square location was opened in November 1977 and is still in operation, Mike Upward joined the company at the beginning of this operation as Manager. He became a shareholder in 1980. In August 1989, Keirstead's opened another location in McAllister Mall on a ten year lease and just recently left the mall at the end of lease in July 1999.

To date, Fenton has recently retired from the company October 1st, 1999 and Brian, his son is in the process of purchasing the shares. His family, staff and customers wish Fenton, a happy and healthy retirement. Today, Keirstead's Flower Shop enters new territory by opening a web site on the Internet (www.keirsteadsflowers.com). Who knows where the next generation will take the flower shop?

Photo: Inside Brunswick Square Shop

In the meantime, Brian and his staff are ever mindful of the care they must use in managing this legacy. In a very real sense, they are Keirstead's Flower Shop. They care deeply. They care because they, too, are customers. They care because they know how important each order is to each customer. They understand what it feels like to be anxious and eager and to wish that the flowers for a special celebration will be perfectly beautiful and delightfully memorable. Because they care, the Keirstead family and staff work long and hard to always satisfy their customers, for the past 20th century and the present 21st century.