Coming Up Roses

Flowers almost always bring a smile. We share flowers at times of celebration, times of sympathy and sometime just to show we care. Now the business that has been in Glasgow since 2005, providing flowers and gifts for the community, has been honored as the best.

Glasgow Flower & Gifts owner Peggy Aakre was pretty excited to receive recognition Thursday from Great Northern Development Corporation (GNDC) as Business of the Year for 2013. Her business got a beautiful glass plaque and was registered to go to an a small business conference in Butte. The conference, "Invest in Success," will take place on April 16 and 17. Aakre received a $500 stipend for lodging and travel for the conference.

"I think it's great to get to go to a small business tour, and the solar tour," Aakre said.

She'll have the opportunity to tour the solar industry in Butte during the conference and see what they're doing.

Aakre wrote a letter of interest, along with other businesses in the area, to be considered for the award.

GNDC said that the shop received the honor because of their involvement and support for community organizations and functions.

In 2010, the business received the "Petal of Honor Award" from Teleflora. That award was given based on the quality, timeliness and the customer satisfaction. Aakre has also been involved in the Montana Florist Association for the past six years and was recently appointed as president for the 2014 convention in Billings.

Lorene Hintz, from GNDC, explained that the business will also remain on their website for a full year to help promote businesses from Northeastern Montana. She said that this was the first award given out for this purpose. Hintz said it was a great way to support and recognize businesses.

Aakre said that she is utilizing the programs the community offers and that business has been holding up.