Gloucester Flowers has achieved a remarkable milestone, securing second place in the highly competitive Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers Wedding Industry Awards. This prestigious recognition highlights the shop’s dedication to floral artistry and exceptional service in regional Australia.
The awards celebrate wedding businesses that thrive outside major cities, acknowledging their commitment to excellence despite the unique challenges they face. For Gloucester Flowers owner Felicia Maljers, the honor came as a delightful surprise.
“I was absolutely shocked and incredibly grateful,” Felicia shared with News of The Area. “This is such an amazing acknowledgment of the passion and hard work that goes into every floral arrangement.”
Felicia’s journey into the world of floristry was unexpected yet serendipitous. Nearly five years ago, while working as a real estate agent, she visited a client’s property for an inspection. That client happened to be the owner of Gloucester Flowers—and in a moment of spontaneous inspiration, Felicia made a life-changing decision.
“We were just chatting, and she mentioned she was selling the business. Without hesitation, I said, ‘I’ll buy it,’” Felicia recalled. “I’ve always been a gardener and loved flowers, so it just felt right.”
Since then, she has cultivated Gloucester Flowers into a beloved local institution, known for its breathtaking floral designs and unwavering dedication to its customers.
Running a floral business in a regional area comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is ensuring a steady supply of fresh flowers, which requires meticulous planning and coordination.
“I can only get fresh flowers from the market twice a week,” Felicia explained. “They travel from Sydney to Nabiac via courier and then take another journey with a second courier to reach Gloucester.”
Despite these logistical challenges, Gloucester Flowers continues to provide stunning floral arrangements for weddings, funerals, and special events across the region. Felicia’s work has graced venues from the Central Coast to Newcastle, as well as closer to home in Gloucester, Stroud, and Nabiac.
Felicia credits much of her success to the unwavering support of the local community.
“The people of Gloucester are amazing. I wouldn’t be here without them,” she said. “Their encouragement and trust mean the world to me.”
With this latest award, Gloucester Flowers cements its reputation as one of the region’s premier floral businesses, bringing beauty, creativity, and heartfelt service to every bouquet.
