- December 3, 2024
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John Brannan and Jon Mongeau are complete opposites.
Mongeau has been a florist for 38 years, making the most extravagant arrangements and displays for hotels in Boston. Brannan builds houses and crafts specialty items in his spare time.
Brannan’s wife, Lita, said it's hard to believe that these two became friends. The duo met as neighbors on a zoning board in Massachusetts.
This was their first form of teamwork and the beginning of a strong friendship. From this, Mongeau and John realized what they had in common: their strive for creating something out of nothing.
After John moved to Washington, D.C. to be with Lita, they never thought they would live near Mongeau. Little did they know they were destined to meet again, with the Brannans moving to Longboat Key in 2019 and Mongeau living in Bradenton since 2020.
In August of 2024, Mongeau, Lita and John opened Le Gardineu Bleu. The shop ties together Mongeau’s creativity and years in the floral industry, Lita’s eye for taste in gifts and John’s craftsmanship.
Surviving Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Le Gardineu Bleu have already made a name for themselves on the island as the in-house florist at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, providing new floral arrangements weekly and decorating most of its events.
As they go into their first season, Mongeau, John and Lita are excited to get the word out about their new shop and serve the community of Longboat Key after the storms.
“The glimmer in people's eyes when they come in here,” said Lita. “They say that it is like a jewelry box. It was so devastating the first couple weeks after the hurricanes, so we hope with us they will see that there is a light at the end of this tunnel.”
Line of Work: Home, Gift and Floral Studio
Owners: Jon Mongeau, John and Lita Brannan
Items for sale: Individual flowers, floral arrangements, home decor, jewelry, trinkets, gifts and local art.
Founded: August 2024
Phone: 941-346-6395
Website: LeGardeniaBleu.com
Hours: Monday is by appointment only. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Employees: Georgia Russell and Rod Bergman
Birthplaces: Mongeau: Magog, Quebec, Canada
John: Columbus, Ohio
Lita: Washington D.C.
Residences: Mongeau: Bradenton
John and Lita: Longboat Key
Connection to Longboat Key: John has been visiting Longboat Key since he was 16 years old with his family.
Career before Le Gardenia Bleu: Mongeau: “Originally, I was a programmer in the late 1970s but was very unhappy. One day, I walked out of my job and stopped in a flower shop where they were looking for help. The owner was a friend of mine, so I was like, ‘Anybody can do flowers.’ Two weeks later, I was working there, and it was Valentine’s week. I immediately took back what I said. But ever since then, I have been in the industry doing floral arrangements for hotels across Boston. I like to say I am the accidental florist.” (Still makes arrangements for hotels in Boston)
John: Did marketing for different companies that specialized in toys, hardware and houseware.
Lita: Lobbyist and Licensed Dog Show Judge (still works as both).
Favorite Pastime: Mongeau: Making people smile through his floral arrangements.
John: Sailing.
Lita: Being a dog show judge.
Business philosophy: “We are hyper-local,” said Lita. “We're here to serve Longboat Key. Not that we're trying to keep away from the other places, but we really want to focus on Longboat Key and provide the best quality service to the residents so they don’t have to go off the island.”
Goals: “We want to keep the shop local,” said Mongeau. “We like the idea that it's ours. We just want to be proud and affect the community in a positive way.”
