The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
In 2016, local business Bev’s Floral & Gifts received the Portage County Business Council’s Small Business of the Year Award.
Debbie Freeberg, owner of Bev’s Floral & Gifts, has owned the business for the past 16 years.
According to Freeberg, the shop has been around for about 32 years and during her ownership, the business has undergone four expansions. The shop was also nominated for the Small Business Award in 2013, prior to receiving it in 2016.
There are between 11 and 16 employees that work at the shop at any given time. Freeberg said that eligibility for the award is contingent on a business having fewer than 25 employees.
Some of the products that can be found at the shop, located on Division Street in Stevens Point, are flowers, jewelry, scarves and home accents.
Freeberg said the Portage County Business Council gives the award to a business, such as Bev’s Floral & Gifts, that has improved growth in sales, strength in human relations and commitment to community service.
Freeberg and the other employees at the shop are passionate about providing quality products for their customers.
Some beautiful flowers inside Bev’s Floral shop. Photo by Nomin Erdenebileg
“The best part, the rewarding part about it, is being able to serve the customers from the community and being able to create something unique for people when they come in for their special occasions,” said Freeberg.
Elise Beck, senior international studies and French major at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has been working at Bev’s Floral & Gifts since Sept. 2014 and is both an employee and customer.
Working at the shop has given Beck the opportunity to learn how to make wrist corsages and boutonnieres. Beck believes that part of the reason the business is so successful is because of the employees’ passion for serving and helping community members.
“I think that the owner, as well as the other ladies that work here, really care about the community and giving good customer service to the community of Stevens Point,” said Beck.
As a customer, some of the items that Beck likes to buy for her friends and family are jewelry and flower arrangements. She said that some of the busiest times of year for the store are prom season, Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.
“It’s a different kind of work environment here, you really get to know the people that you work with,” Beck said.
More information about Bev’s Floral & Gifts and their products can be found at their website, flowersbevsfloral.com.
Caroline Chalk
Reporter
cchal845@uwsp.edu
