Seth Gillespie, 31, of Radford, spends sometime at Gates Flowers and Gifts, the business he recently purchased.
Heather Bell
Gates Flowers and Gifts in Christiansburg has been a New River Valley institution for a half-century.
So, when Seth Gillespie, an accountant for Darryl Gillespie, CPA, heard it might close down, he says he just could not let that happen.
“Gates has been a client of ours for many years and when we learned that it was in danger of closing down we didn’t want to see another prominent local small business shut its doors,” said Gillespie in a recent interview.
Seth, 31, says floral design was not really in his wheel house but he took the plunge anyway, and purchased the business.
“I never thought in a million years I would own a flower shop,” he said. “Working at our CPA firm has given me a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the financial aspects of what it takes to make a small business successful. The only way I was interested in taking this on was if we were able to retain Erlene Barber. She has been the head florist and the face of the business for over 30 years. She knows the business inside and out, she really does a great job and Gates would not be Gates without her.”
Gates Flowers and Gifts has operated for 50 years. It is located at 2090 Roanoke St., Christiansburg.
“She runs the show and I do the accounting,” he added.
Gillespie said the business’s long history was one thing that drew him toward the decision to keep it going.
“Gates has been family owned and operated since 1971 in Christiansburg,” he said. “It has been a staple of the NRV for many years before me and I hope it will be many years after me as well. Next year will be Gates 50th anniversary.”
Gillespie says he hopes to maintain and build upon the strong reputation the floral shop has in the community.
“Anytime you take on a new venture there are things that pop up or bumps in the road, and I have been very fortunate to have someone like Erlene who has developed relationships with wholesalers and our client base for many years. She has really made the transition easy, she picked up where she left off,” he said. “I know for many years Gates has had an excellent reputation for sending out good work and beautiful flowers, and I just hope to maintain and build upon the already established brand
Gates specializes in impressive floral arrangements, seen here, as well as a variety of gift items.
Gates has made for itself over the years. Small businesses are important to me and I look forward to this opportunity. I love living and doing business in the NRV.”
Gillespie graduated from Radford High School in 2007 and is a 2012 graduate of Radford University. RU in 2012. Gates Flowers and Gifts is located at 2090 Roanoke St., Christiansburg.