With the sun shining, it was time to roll down the windows, crank the tunes, and hit the road on our next #NovaFieldTrip, heading to London to discover some incredible spots, and the stories behind them.
Regency Florists
Our first stop was Regency Florists where we got to chat with Mike about his beautiful blooms, the inspiration to start a new career, and his sweet (and spicy?) #ShopDog Lucy. Mike talked a bit about his background and inspiration and chatted about some of the amazing events he’s been able to work on – like when the Junos came to London! He’s also a big supporter of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Speaking of community, when he moved to his current location, he knew he wanted to brighten up the building with a beautiful mural, so he searched for a talented local artist to create some buzz. While learning more about his background and business we were happy to take in the sights and smells of his shop while browsing his selection of décor, accessories, local chocolates, and custom Canadian made line of signature sauces by his very own shop dog, Lucy!
Os & Oakes
Next, we stopped by Os & Oakes and met Erika who talked about her oh so soft, sustainable and ethically made (in Canada!) clothing. Kindness is always in style, and she talked about how she uses her platform to uplift others and give back to the community. From being featured by some pretty amazing celeb mama’s (ahem – Jillian Harris, Jessi Cruickshank & The Birds Papaya) to her defining moments in cultivating her brand – Erika highlights some of her amazing Os & Oakes journey. We even got a sneak peak at her warehouse space… and a teaser of some incredible new colours to come – bring on the spring and summer looks!
Commonwealth Coffee, Boxcar Donuts, & McFarlan Rowlands
After that, we needed a caffeine fix, so we ventured over to Commonwealth Coffee to try their May feature drinks and load up on Boxcar Donuts (wow!!). Luckily, there were a few left that we were able to bring by to share with our broker partners McFarlan Rowlands along with some great chats and a few quick tricks.
Blackfriars Bistro
Rounding out our day, we stopped by Blackfriars Bistro for some incredible hospitality and a delicious lunch. We learned about their extensive offerings from Cooking Classes to Culinary Experiences. Emanuela chatted about the importance of slow food, and how they collaborate with local suppliers to offer an unforgettable farm to table dining experience. She talks about the various ways they get involved and give back to support causes close to them. After an amazing lunch, we ventured over to browse their Pantry/Larder next door, stocked with specialty items from local farms, high-quality locally sourced gourmet items, artisanal cheese and local dairy products. Then we walked over to check out the beautifully restored, historic wrought-iron Blackfriars Bridge.
This London Field Trip was definitely one that we won’t soon forget. It was great to explore a new town, meet our members and hear their incredible stories, and chat with our Broker Partners! Thanks to Mike at Regency Florists, Erika at Os & Oakes, the team at McFarlan Rowlands, and Emanuela at Blackfriars Bistro for an amazing #Novadventure!!
This uplifting feature was collaborated on by:
Steph Gruhle, Member Experience Director
Graeme Reed, Brand Production Specialist
Shane Drever, Digital Media Specialist
