Susanna Freymark
A life-like Peter Rabbit statue greets customers at the door as they come to Oopsa Daizies & Co.
At Wendy Farenden’s shop, there are fresh flowers, cute and quirky ornaments and gelato.
It’s an unusual combination and it works.
Peter Rabbit is not for sale though. Wendy is far too attached to him.
She discovered him in a shop Easter display in Ballina – and she had to have him.
So how did Wendy and Peter end up together selling the only gelato in Kyogle?
The shop originally opened as a florist at the other end of Summerland Way.
Her daughter Tara did the flowers and Wendy ran her gelato cart.
When Tara’s children were sick, she needed to spend more time with them.
Oopsa Daizies was only five months old and Wendy had to learn about flowers – what they were called, and how to arrange them.
Tara still does the floral arrangements for weddings.
The new version of Oopsa Daizies moved down the street near the supermarket in March this year.
Wendy has a long history in retail.
“I’ve grown up in retail,” she said.
“Since I was nine, I’ve worked in a shop. I was in charge of the lollies.”
With her husband, she owned a seven day a week business.
They made a tree-change to Kyogle in 2000, Wendy said.
At 62, Oopsa Daizies is a nice place for Wendy to land in her retail adventure– selling flowers and ice cream suits her bubbly personality.
She has applied to do a floristry course and the shop offers an artistic and creative outlet.
And she gets to eat gelato. Her favourite flavour is ginger and caramel.
Wendy is also president of the Kyogle & District Chamber of Commerce.
Wendy’s mother had dementia and in her honour Wendy is hosting a Cuppa for Dementia event tomorrow, Thursday, October 17 at the shop at 57a Summerland Way, Kyogle.
“Dementia is a journey that affects millions of families worldwide, including my own. This cause is incredibly dear to my heart, and I believe that together, we can make a difference,” Wendy said.
Go have a cuppa and a yarn at Oopsa Daizies tomorrow morning and donate to Dementia Awareness.
Find out more at the Oopsa Daizies Facebook page. To order flowers phone 5698 1202.