Sisters Melanie and Monica Bernadsky have been waking up and smelling the roses for the past 13 years, since they opened their own Freshcut Downtwon in Portage Place shopping centre. The sisters took over the Academy Florist that was there before 1995, changed the name and made it their own.

While Monica uses her business background to keep things running smoothly, Melanie uses her creative eye and florist training to create beautiful and colouful bouquets and displays. Together the sisters run the full service flower shop.

Freshcut Downtown is full of beautiful flowers of all kinds, plants-including bamboo and orchids, giftware and local artist-made cards. Walk-ins or custom orders are available and citywide deliveries can be made on the same day as ordering. The sisters cater to all events including weddings, and offer corporate accounts for businesses that want a weekly delivery of fresh flowers.

The Bernadsky’s have around 50 kinds of flowers in stock at anytime and keep most of them out of the cooler and on display for people passing by to enjoy. The fresh flowers are shipped in directly from growers so they last longer.

Melanie said she likes having a downtown store because the area is full of entertainment, shopping, dining and places to hang out. She said downtown feels like a small community in a big city and she likes being a part of it. 

Around Christmas time Melanie offers workshops for people interested in making centerpieces and also does wedding consultations year round. Freshcut Downtown is open 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday, and open until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays. After hour deliveries are available.

Freshcut Downtown Florists
Owners (Franchise): Melanie and Monica Bernadsky
First floor Portage Place, near Edmonton Court
943-6514

www.freshcutdowntown.com