A Family Tradition, in Business for Over 50 Years!

Van Belle Flowers is proud to be celebrating over 50 years of business in the Clarington and Durham Regions. Originating in Holland, over 4 generations of family have chosen the floral and plant business as their profession.

In 1925, Grootvader Segers, a widower with 4 children, married Berfeloo, who also had 4 children. In 1930, they decided to open a flower shop on Hengeloose Straat in Enschede, Holland, and soon opened another shop in Enschede on Emme Straat. It was in one of those floral establishments, that Martha Segers, our grandmother, met William Van Belle, as he was selling flowers to her parents. William’s (Opa’s) job was to sell wholesale flowers to floral shops throughout the area.

On October 3, 1934, Martha and William were married at the local town hall. In the next few months, they also decided to open a flower shop in Enschede and rented a building with an apartment for housing. Throughout the next 10 years, the business and family grew – with the additions of Harry, Gerald, Pieter and Bill, their children.

In the Second World War, Opa was picked up by the German occupation forces during a “razzia”(raid) and was forced to be a general laborer. He was transported to a German town and commanded to clear the rubble from bombing raids. He was fortunate enough to escape and eventually made it safely back to Enschede. The town didn’t fare as well, as many buildings, including the one right beside the flower shop, was bombed. Because it was close to Germany (only a few kilometers from the town of Gronau in Germany) and housed a German command center, Enschede was frequently bombed by allied troops aiming for the German command center or mistaking Enschede for a German city. Enschede was liberated on 1 April 1945 by Allied, mainly Canadian, troops.

After the liberation, in 1949, the Van Belle family was sponsored by a Manitolin Island farmer and immigrated to Canada. Opa found a job at Manitoulin Gardens & Greenhouses, where he helped grow fruits and vegetables.

Moving to Bowmanville in 1952, Martha and William Van Belle purchased a house on Mill Lane, and built a greenhouse in the backyard. They sold annual plants, and started offering landscaping services in 1955.

In 1958, the current 8 acre location was purchased and became the home of Van Belle Gardens, later to be called Van Belle Flowers. Harry and Ada Van Belle were the initial founders of Van Belle Flowers. Within the next two years, houses where built on adjoining properties and became home to the 2 Van Belle families; William & Martha Van Belle and Harry & Ada Van Belle. Children soon came into the picture, and Harry and Ada were blessed with Carl, Paul, Ruth, Martha and Jacqueline.

As the family grew, so did Van Belle Flowers & Garden Centre. The small gardening shed soon became a larger building with greenhouses and a flower shop, with larger fridges, more offices, and more work space. Satellite stores were also added; one on Simcoe Street North, and one on King Street West in Oshawa in 1979; one in Bowmanville, and one in Whitby. Though the Simcoe Street and Bowmanville store have since been closed, the King Street store in Oshawa has moved across the street and still is operating. The 4 corners in Whitby is still home to Van Belle Flowers, having occupied the historical building for over 27 years.

Belle Floral, a wholesale cut flower and plant company, was started in 1986 and services flower shops as far east to Kingston, north to Haliburton and the GTA. Specializing in quality fresh cut flowers, Carl ensures the integrity of the company by purchasing product from local growers in Southern Ontario as well as socially responsible companies in Ecuador and Colombia.

It was with great sadness that Ada Van Belle passed away suddenly in 1996 at the age of 57. Since her dedication to her family and to the company was an integral part of all of our successes, this was devastating. Working in the store creating wonderful displays and motivating staff, she never lost sight of her devotion to her family. Her brightest moments were when our house was filled with family and friends, and mom’s infectious laughter made everything better. Never one to dwell on the negative, she taught us how to work hard, laugh lots, and to love and respect each other. Her love, joyful spirit and caring personality have been missed very much by family, friends and customers these past 14 years.

The subsequent years involved the renovation of the existing gift shop and the addition of 6 greenhouses. Also, expansion into different product lines, such as Christmas giftware and trees, jewelry, purses, gourmet food products have kept Van Belle Flowers an exciting business venture. Our floral company has been awarded “Favourite Florist” for the past 7 years in the Durham and Clarington regions, and FTD “Top 25 Florist” in Canada. The focus of our company has never diminished throughout the 50 years of existence…. Quality fresh cut flowers at reasonable prices with 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Harry Van Belle has since retired from Van Belle Flowers, and married Rita Oolsthoorn in 2003. Living in Port Dalhousie, he has devoted his retirement to the organization “Wells of Hope” which supports fresh water ventures in Guatemala. Harry has 8 granddaughters and 1 grandson.

Paul Van Belle is now living in Napanee, works as a WHMIS instructor and operates a landscape company with his wife Brenda.

Carl, with his wife Karen, work together in Van Belle Flowers and Belle Floral Wholesale as do their 4 daughters, while they are going through school. Ruth Van Belle manages the daily operations of the retail division, while Jackie manages all accounting aspects of the company. Martha, who is married to Al Vandepol, looks after all corporate accounts, advertising and public relations and her 2 children enjoy part time employment at Van Belle’s as well.

Van Belle Flowers and family has been blessed through the years with many successes and has been challenged with some difficult circumstances that we have overcome. With the dedication of wonderful staff, who feel like family to us, Van Belle Flowers continues to strive to be a better floral and gift business. We would like to say “Thank you” to our community and loyal customers, whom have shown us their dedication throughout the years. It is through God’s blessings that we are the company and family that we are today.

Wholesale Business
Van Belle Flowers and Garden Center, and Belle Floral Wholesale are still managed by core family members; Carl & Karen, Ruth, Martha and Jackie. Each person in the company has distinct responsibilities, but collectively make our company run sooth and efficiently.

Our Goal
The goal of our floral company is to offer our customers quality fresh cut flowers and plants, artistically designed, at reasonable prices. It is also to make the consumer’s have an enjoyable shopping experience in any of our locations, by having exciting and constantly changing store displays and unique home décor and gifts. Our responsibility to the public is to purchase our plants and flowers from reputable growers who maintain the same family values and social responsibility that we have. Purchasing more eco friendly flowers, reducing waste & being environmentally friendly, and eliminating harmful pesticides are very much a part of our everyday operations.

Commitment to Community
Commitment to our community is evident through our assistance in fundraising programs, school activities and educating the public about flowers and plants. This has resulted in favorite florist award consecutively for 5 years, and top 25 FTD Florist for over 10 years.

100% Satisfaction
Van Belle Flowers and Garden Center has evolved into 3 flower shops, a gift shop & Christmas store, and garden center at our Courtice Location. Quality, freshness and great customer service are so intricate in everything that we do so that we can stand behind our product and designs to guarantee 100 % satisfaction.