Hello There, my name is Vicky and I own Fleuriste Atropa Belladonna. My journey on the way to opening my own flower shop goes a little something like this… To start, I always wanted to own my own business but it wasn’t always flowers I had in mind. When I was 5, I was going to be an accountant and own my own firm. Yes, this was the most popular and serious vocation interest for me. Sometime in College, my interest turned fully to Psychology, as a result, I wanted to own my own practice.
However, after a few other ideas and experiences, following my first semester in university, I found my true calling over the summer. I enrolled in a floral course and the rest is history. So, after I completed schooling, I got hired as a florist near my old college. I got to learn so much in school, and now, so much more being in real situations with customers, and learning for other florists.
After a few years, I finally took the leap and opened my own business in Montreal. I am blessed to have worked with amazing team members here at the shop. My current team includes: Sara, Lulu, and Emma; who all have a love for the beautiful world of flowers. I absolutely adore and am in love with the world of flowers, especially because of the way we humans use them to honour our important moments in this life!
Behind the Name and the Fairies
I wanted to name my shop after something that held power for me, something that was magical, and something that was tied to flowers of course. I was drawn to name it after the Deadly Nightshade plant.
Also, I was drawn to use the proper name and I had a feeling that the power I was looking for, and the fairy connection I sought, would be found in the etymology.
Atropa is derived from Atropos, in Greek mythology she was one of the 3 fates; her role, to cut the thread of life. Hence the word atrophy. She is known as the immovable fate, as death itself is inevitable. As the old religion faded, the fates took on minor roles in lore similar to the fairies in sleeping beauty. So, it was settle, and I was excited, this was going to be the perfect name for my shop!
From bud, to bloom, and final cut; flowers are beautiful, vivacious, and then gone. Flowers reflect our lives well; making them the perfect gift from nature to accent life’s moments and nourish our spirits. Moments are fleeting and are made more precious for it; transience, a gift. Life, like a flower, is beautiful and should be treasured. Flowers call us to embrace the now, and accept the immovable; for we do not live to die, we die to live.