Photo by Keith Stewart
Lesa McDaniel puts the finishing touches on a flower arrangement Monday morning. McDaniel, along with her mother Kimberlie Elkins, are the new owner/operators of the Flower Pot in Sullivan.

Shop remains familiar to customers while adding a few items

April 22, 2015

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan reporter

When it came to making the decision to take over The Flower Pot, new owners and mother/daughter team Lesa McDaniel and Kimberlie Elkins (of Mackinaw, Ill.) didn’t have to go out on a limb. With Elkins already having experience running a store and McDaniel’s motivation, the idea to take over the business was already planted firmly in both of their minds.
“My husband and I are friends with Mike and Ellen (Bernius). When I had first heard she was going to retire, I told my husband that I would love to run it and have my mother move down here to run it with me,” said McDaniel. “I had been a stay-at-home mom over the last 10 years and was ready to have a career. I was also given the opportunity to come in before Ellen closed, and she taught me how to make a proper arrangement and showed me what I needed to know.
“My mother had a store up in Mackinaw and loved what she did so I thought it would be a lot of fun to work with my mom. I got a hold of Ellen, and here we are. I am very grateful that we were given the chance to keep the business going!”     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.