George and Anna Gianoulis sell Malpara Florist to Maree and Dale O’Shea
The new owners of Malpara Florist plan to uphold the long-serving business’ reputation while bringing a fresh vision for the future.
Townsville
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After 20 years, the owners of Malpara Florist have passed on the bouquet, with the award-winning business entering a new and exciting chapter.
George and Anna Gianoulis have sold the much-loved florist to Maree and Dale O’Shea, who are no stranger to the wedding and events scene with Ms O’Shea behind custom cake studio Sweeter Than Sugar and event styling business Hello Picnic.
“I’m thrilled to continue the incredible legacy that Anna and George have built with Malpara. Its longstanding reputation in Townsville reflects the exceptional quality of their work and the strong relationships they’ve fostered with customers,” Ms O’Shea said.
“Malpara is an iconic business, and there’s a wonderful synergy with my other ventures. I’m already planning to offer beautiful bouquets paired with Sweeter Than Sugar baked treats – it’s an exciting new direction for the business.”
For Mr and Mrs Gianoulis, choosing the right new owner was crucial.
“Preserving Malpara’s reputation is really important to us. We wanted someone who could uphold its values while bringing a fresh vision for the future,” Ms Gianoulis said.
“Maree’s creativity and passion really stood out. Passing Malpara on to another family feels like the perfect fit, and we are happy to retire knowing the business is in capable hands,” Mr Gianoulis added.
As part of the handover, Ms O’Shea worked with the Gianoulis’ for one of the shop’s busiest periods – Valentine’s Day.
“I’m so grateful for their guidance during this time. It was incredible to see the team pull together, finding alternative ways to bring in flowers from southern suppliers and delivering 10,000 roses across Townsville.” Ms O’Shea said.
Malpara’s team of 13, including longtime staff with over 30 years’ experience, will remain under the new ownership. Together, the team is preparing for key floral events within the next two months.
“We have Anzac Day, Easter and Mother’s Day coming up. We’ve finalised product offerings, selected colour themes and placed orders with suppliers,” Ms O’Shea said.
Malpara Florist, which has been operating for 63 years, will continue to trade from its two locations in Hermit Park and Willows Shopping Centre.
Originally published as George and Anna Gianoulis sell Malpara Florist to Maree and Dale O’Shea
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