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(Posted 4:30
p.m., June 16)
Hundreds turnout to help celebrate garden centre's 50th anniversary
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
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|  J.A
Laporte Flowers and Nursery owners Roger, Estelle and Jean Laporte celebrated
the garden centre's 50th anniversary on Saturday with hundreds of loyal customers.
Fred Sherwin/Photo
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J.A. Laporte
Flowers and Nursery celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday with hundreds
of loyal customers including a long list of local politicians. At
the centre of all the attention were the garden centre's founders Roger and Therese
Laporte and current owners Jean and Estelle Laporte, Roger
Laporte started the business in 1960 out of his love for plants and the desire
to pass on his knowledge and passion to others. After trying to grow vegetables
with little success during the first two years, he switched to flowers. The
business soon took off, and Roger began holding seminars in church basements,
community halls and other meeting rooms throughout the east end. "When
I first started this business, I didn't start it with my head, I started it with
my heart," the elder Laporte told several hundred people gathered under a
large tent for the special anniversary celebration. "I loved plants so mush
I would even dream about them." Roger
and his wife Therese carefully nurtured the business as it slowly grew during
the 1970s. In 1974, they expanded the business by opening a second location in
Blossom Park. Two years later they opened another location on St. Joseph Blvd.
where Kelly Funeral Homes is currently located. Just
as the business was beginning to take off, health issues forced Roger into semi-retirement
in 1982, which is when his son Jean took over the business. Just
22 years of age at the time and in his second year at the University of Guelph,
Jean had to learn the business quickly and together with his wife-to-be Estelle
they opened stalls on St. Joseph Blvd., Innes Rd. and Bank St. It
was during the 80s that Orléans became the fastest growing community in Canada.
All those new residents needed shrubs, trees and flowers to landscape their new
homes and J,A, Laporte's was more than happy to supply them with everything they
needed. In
order to meet the growing demand, the Laportes decided to close all their stalls
and focus on the nursery. They expanded their greenhouses and built a store complete
with a playground and an information booth where the Laportes dispense advice
and growing tips to neophytes and experienced green thumbs alike. Over
the years Laporte's has gained a well-earned reputation for being incredibly generous.
They've helped out hundreds of community groups and charitable organizations including
school groups, service clubs, fairs and festivals. Their generosity was evident
on Saturday as hundreds of people lined up to receive more than 2,000 free plants,
gift certificates, shrubs and even trees. The items were the Laportes way of saying
thank you. "It's
the least we can do, honestly," said Estelle Laporte. "It's impossible
to say thank you enough. We're so grateful to all our customers. They're what
it's all about." The
Laportes were able to take a break from playing host long enough on Saturday to
accept the accolades and congratulations from a long list of local politicians
including Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien who declared June 12 as JA Laporte's Flowers
and Nursery Day. In
accepting the accolades, the Laportes acknowledged the role their employees have
played in growing the business, some of whom have been with the nursery for 35
years. They also thanked their customers for continuing to count on JA Laporte`s
for all their gardening needs. "It's
so wonderful to be able to celebrate this day with our friends and family,"
said Estelle Laporte. "It's almost impossible to explain in words what this
means to us. This is an incredible honour for a mom and pop operation like ours.
We'll cherish June 12, 2010 for years to come." (This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local
business partners.) Return
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