stal̕əw̓asəm / Riverview Bridge + NWFM Holiday Market

Issue #441

Author

Carla McNeil
December 10, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌥️ Weather - Mainly cloudy

 😜 Rain Joke - When does winter begin? ❄️🌨️ 

 🔦 Business Spotlight - Chris’s Flowers

 🗓️ New West Events - Is it just me or is the calendar getting busier?

 🗞️ New West Local News - stal̕əw̓asəm / Riverview Bridge + NWFM Holiday Market

 📧 Did someone forward you our New West Spotlight? You can Subscribe Here!

Tucked along East Columbia Street in the heart of Sapperton, Chris’s Flowers has become a quiet favourite among New Westminster locals. Fresh bouquets fill the shop with colour and scent, and visitors are often greeted by friendly conversation before they even step inside. Though the business has been part of the neighbourhood for more than 30 years, its new owners are bringing renewed energy, modern styles, and a deep love for the community.

Since taking over the shop a year ago, Anna and her husband have been learning, experimenting, and blooming right alongside their customers. Their journey hasn’t been easy—new businesses rarely are—but it’s grounded in care, curiosity, and a commitment to quality that’s impossible to miss. For anyone who loves supporting small, local shops in New Westminster, Chris’s Flowers offers a story worth sharing and a visit worth making.

When Anna first stepped into the world of flowers, she didn’t come from a floral background. She came from the restaurant industry, while her husband worked as a car detailer. Buying a decades-old flower shop was a big leap, but it was also a chance to build something meaningful together.

Chris’s Flowers had been part of Sapperton for roughly 30 years, with a loyal customer base and a reputation for long-lasting blooms. The shop had history. It had regulars. It had heart.

The couple also noticed something important: Chris’s Flowers is the only flower shop in Sapperton. With Royal Columbian Hospital expanding and more residents moving into the neighbourhood, they knew the location held promise. People from nearby streets often pop in while running errands, visiting loved ones at the hospital, or even making a stop before heading to the cemetery up behind the shop.

Taking over such a longstanding business came with challenges. Some longtime customers naturally compared the new owners to the previous florist. But Anna understood the pressure—“she was really good,” she said. Rather than trying to copy the past, she focused on building trust her own way: through fresh flowers, warm service, and a genuine willingness to learn.

Chris’s Flowers offers arrangements for just about every occasion—birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, and everyday moments that call for something beautiful. The shop receives fresh flowers four days a week, which is why many customers notice that their bouquets last longer than those from grocery stores or other florists.

Most walk-in shoppers gravitate toward bouquets in the $30–$50 range. Anna keeps plenty of options ready in the cooler, from simple arrangements to more elegant designs. She also creates high-end custom pieces by request. Though the neighbourhood typically leans toward more affordable choices, Anna’s skill allows her to craft everything from modern Korean-style arrangements to lush wedding florals.

Events are a growing part of the business. Right now, Chris’s Flowers handles small to mid-sized weddings and funerals—often 20 to 30 pieces per event—and provides ready-made arrangements for pickup or delivery. Larger installations, like arches, can be prepared in-store, and Anna hopes to expand into more on-site setup work as the business grows.

Freshness and clarity matter to her. If a customer wants a specific flower on a certain day, she encourages pre-orders so she can bring it in. And if someone walks in and doesn’t see the style they hoped for, she’s always happy to create something tailored just for them.

One of the things Anna loves most about running the shop is the neighbourhood itself. Sapperton, she says, is filled with people who genuinely want to support local businesses. Many customers stop to chat, share stories, or ask about new arrangements. Over time, these small interactions have become the most rewarding part of her day.

Because so many customers are neighbours she sees often, Anna likes to offer small deals or thoughtful touches when she can. “I see them every day,” she said, and the connection feels personal. The relationship between shop and community goes both ways—people appreciate the friendliness, and the couple feels encouraged by the support.

Even newcomers find Chris’s Flowers in a very modern way. Many discover the shop through strong Google reviews. Others come across the business on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Chinese social platforms, where Anna has been steadily growing the shop’s online presence. Joining Teleflora has also helped, allowing customers from across Canada to send flowers through the shop.

Though business can be slow during non-holiday months, Anna sees every friendly face as a reminder of why she chose Sapperton. As construction finishes and density increases, she’s excited to serve even more residents who value quality and kindness from a local shop.

At the heart of Chris’s Flowers is a simple philosophy: listen to people, understand what they need, and do everything possible to make it happen. Flowers mark both joyful and difficult moments—birthdays, weddings, farewells, and celebrations of life. Anna never forgets that each bouquet carries meaning.

She enjoys hearing people’s stories and helping them choose arrangements that fit the moment. Whether it’s someone planning a wedding on a budget or a neighbour picking up something small “just because,” she treats each order with the same care. As she puts it, they “put more time and more love into it.” And even though that tenderness isn’t something you can measure, it’s something customers can feel.

Chris’s Flowers is more than a flower shop—it’s a growing part of the Sapperton community, led by owners who care deeply about their craft and their neighbours. If you’re looking for fresh blooms, custom arrangements, or a friendly chat while you browse, this local gem is worth a visit.

From heartfelt service to innovative care, Chris’s Flowers continues to inspire confidence and connection in New Westminster.

Supporting local businesses means supporting the heart of our community!

📍 227 E Columbia St, New Westminster, BC V3L 3W3
🌐 https://www.instagram.com/chris_sflowers
🌐 https://www.chrissflowers.ca/
📞 (604) 789-6318

Already know, like, and trust this business? Be sure to support Chris’s Flowers and leave them a Google Review

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 14.0 2014 - Record low -1.6 2024

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

December 10, 2025

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 CaRT Peer Navigators – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

👶 Babytime (0-23 months) – 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM

📝 Disability Tax Credit Application Process – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

🎒 After-School Drop-In (5-12 years) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🌃 Pyjama Storytime (all ages) – 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM

❓️ Georgie's Local Trivia Night – 7:00 PM

🏃 Steel & Oak Run Club – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

❓️ Frankie G’s Trivia Night – 7:30 PM

☃️ Annual Christmas Mingle at Centennial Lodge – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎄 Holiday Sip & Stroll Scavenger Hunt – Downtown Neighbourhood

December 11, 2025

⛸️ Parent and Tot Skate at Moody Park – 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🎅 Santa Photos at Royal City Centre Mall – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

🍅 Farmers Market – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

📝 SFU Writing Consults – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎨 Paint and Create at Century House – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

🎙️ The Terminal Pub Colossal Thursdays Karaoke – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Notorious Grey Fox Open Mic Jam – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🧥 Ugly Sweater at Craft Cafe – 7:30 PM

🎭️ Comedy Exposed at Flapper Lounge – 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎄 Holiday Sip & Stroll Scavenger Hunt – Downtown Neighbourhood

December 12, 2025

🧒 Toddler Time (12-36 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🎅 Santa Photos at Royal City Centre Mall – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Friday Sessions – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🛍️ Holiday 2025 Play & Shop (4-Days of Mini Market) – 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

✝️ Christmas Market - Freedom Church – 5:00 - 8:00 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM

🎨 Brush Hour Paint Night - Emerald Lake – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Weekly Karaoke Every Friday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎸 Live Music at The Terminal - Mike Van Eyes – 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM

🎙️ Notorious Grey Fox Karaoke Friday Nights – 9:00 PM until Close

🎄 Holiday Sip & Stroll Scavenger Hunt – Downtown Neighbourhood

If you have an event you would like us to list please CLICK HERE.

Image via Facebook

Traffic patterns between New Westminster and Surrey will begin shifting over the coming weeks as vehicles transition onto the new bridge replacing the Pattullo. With the deck now fully connected and final paving underway, the structure is preparing for its phased opening to travellers.

Today also marks an important cultural milestone: the announcement of the bridge’s official name. In recognition of First Nations’ deep historical and ongoing ties to the Fraser River, the Musqueam Indian Band and Kwantlen First Nation have gifted the people of British Columbia the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ name stal̕əw̓asəm, meaning “a space where you can view the river.” Both this Indigenous name and the English name, Riverview, will appear on bridge signage.

The new bridge offers several major improvements for commuters and residents, including four wider lanes with a centre median, separated walking and cycling paths, modern seismic and safety design, and more reliable connections between New Westminster and Surrey. These upgrades aim to reduce congestion, improve safety, and provide better access for all who travel across the Fraser River.

More details about the name, including pronunciation guides, are available through the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project.

New Westminster’s favourite festive shopping weekend is almost here! The New West Farmers’ Market Holiday Market returns December 13 & 14, bringing more than 90 local artisans, food vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment to the plaza in front of City Hall.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, visitors can browse holiday gifts, seasonal treats, handcrafted goods, and fresh ingredients—perfect for last-minute shopping or stocking up for holiday dinners. Families can stop by the Sprout Club tent for free kids’ crafts and activities, and even enjoy a few surprise appearances throughout the weekend.

Rain or shine, this outdoor, family-friendly, dog-friendly, accessible market is one of New West’s most beloved holiday traditions. Entry is by donation, with contributions supporting both the market and the BCAFM Nutrition Coupon Program.

Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the season while supporting small businesses and local makers—right in the heart of New Westminster.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌨️ When does winter begin? ❄️

🍁 When autumn leaves. 🍂 

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