Abbey Florists Celebrates 30 Years with Special Event on November 15

Abbey Florists will mark a significant milestone on November 15, 2023, celebrating 30 years in business with a special event at their shop located on Doagh Road. The gathering will take place from 11:00 to 18:00 and aims to honor the community that has supported the family-run business over the years.

The florist, currently managed by the Breen family, has been a part of the local landscape since the early 2000s. Gillian Breen, one of the family members involved, shared the shop’s history, noting that it was originally established by her father, Ricky Breen, and her grandfather, Jimmy Breen. Gillian highlighted the resilience of Abbey Florists, stating that it was one of the few small businesses to thrive during the pandemic, thanks to contracts with 13 local funeral directors.

Community Engagement and Celebrations

In addition to its long-standing services, Abbey Florists has embraced social media to connect with customers. The shop is hosting a special bouquet giveaway on its Facebook page throughout November to celebrate the anniversary. Over the years, Abbey Florists has gained a reputation for creating stunning floral arrangements for notable figures, including musician Van Morrison, actor James Nesbitt, and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. The shop also provided flowers for the recent visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla to Northern Ireland, as well as a floral crown in remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

This anniversary comes during a challenging year for the Breen family. Originally, they planned to celebrate with a fundraising gala at the Europa Hotel. However, unforeseen circumstances altered their plans. On April 20, Joanne Breen suffered a stroke, casting doubt on the event’s feasibility. Tragically, on July 16, just after announcing that the gala would proceed, Gillian’s husband, Syd, experienced a brain hemorrhage and passed away a week later on July 23.

Moving Forward with Hope

Despite these heart-wrenching events, the Breen family decided to hold a smaller gathering for the anniversary, emphasizing their commitment to the community. “This shop is like a second home to us, and the kindness of our customers has been amazing,” Gillian remarked. “We just wanted to do something for them.”

The family hopes to reschedule their fundraising gala for a later date, continuing their tradition of giving back to the community that has supported them through thick and thin. The anniversary event on November 15 will not only celebrate three decades of Abbey Florists but also honor the resilience and strength of the Breen family during a difficult year.