After nearly 40 years, John "The Flower Guy" at Bert's Red Apple has officially retired. John Gallen, 54, started working at Bert's in 1968 and quickly blossomed into a staple in the very community he's called home since birth.
Gallen, born Jan. 17, 1952, start-ed at the ripe age of 15 as a box boy for Bert's Red Apple, and has done just about everything for the small, neighborhood grocery store.
"I've been a box boy, a bag boy, a checker, a stocker and a manager," Gallen said. "I guess I found my calling selling flowers."
The resident expert
A Garfield High School graduate, Gallen is a true Madison Park native. He attended McGilvra Elementary School and Meany Middle School.
Although he never formally studied botany or biology, Gallen is the resident expert among flower-seekers in the area.
"Selling flowers has been a joy, because really nice people buy flowers," said Gallen, who himself favors the Busy Lizzie impatiens. "They bring happiness to just about anyone. Roses and tulips have always been the favorites, but I always try to pick the best flower for that particular customer."
Terry Short, the Bert's Red Apple store manager, has known Gallen since he began managing the store in 1989.
"He definitely knows everyone around here," Short said. "He remembers every face, every name and what flower will best fit them."
Pride in his work
Gallen also is well known for his dedication to the Bert's. During his long tenure, Gallen arrived each morning bright and early to set up the arrangements and leave late each night.
"He took a lot of pride in the floral department," Short said. "People came from all over the city just to buy flowers from John."
Although Gallen took pride in his job at Bert's, he takes greater pride in those around the Madison Park community. Short recalls a story about a homeless man who once frequented the store years ago.
"Charles was this man who used to heckle customers and employees at Bert's," Short said. "Rather than call the police on him, John used to ask him to help out in the floral department in exchange for a few dollars or a sandwich. He really took Charles under his wing and gave him a chance to find a bit of stability in his life."
Numerous stories about Gallen's acts of kindness linger around the community and at Bert's. His expertise in world of flowers will forever be missed as well.
"It was really nice having an expert around like him," Short said.
Since his retirement at the end of November, Gallen has been missed greatly by the staff and customers at Bert's.
"People have been coming in asking, 'Where's John?'" Short said. "Our customers loved him, and he was really a great pleasure to work with for those years."
Best Buds
Nowadays, Gallen can be found just around the corner at Best Buds, a new floral shop in Madison Park at 4111 E. Blaine St.
Gallen opened the store on Dec. 1 with friends Babits Faires and Brenda Lorentzen. The three longtime friends decided to go into business after Gallen retired from Bert's.
"He's such a nice, quirky guy," said Lorentzen, who met Gallen in 1976, said, "He knows almost everything there is to know about flowers and has a great business plan."
Although Best Buds was without power and business during the recent windstorm, Lorentzen expects business to really blossom.
"Having John around will really help our business," she said. "He knows who to buy from, what season to buy certain flowers and the kinds of flowers people really enjoy."
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