RBM Christmas Wreaths and Trees

RBM Trees and Wreaths

Verna McGuckinPhotos by Kelly Allison Photography

Family owned local wholesome Christmas wreath and tree company. RBM Trees and Wreaths are located about 3 km west of the perimeter. On the north side of the road just before Breezy Bend golf course.  They have a group of very talented ladies that make thousands of fresh Christmas wreaths at their location in Headingley. For the wreaths to last a long time, they are made with mostly Fraser Fir boughs and some White Pine for a very nice contrast. A majority of their customers are fundraising groups from schools, sports teams, scouts, and kinsmen and optimist clubs.We asked Roy and Verna McGuckin owners/operaters to tell us a little bit about their Tree and Wreath business;

Brandy & Mandy
Photos by Kelly Allison Photography
Tree Pillow by Joyful House Designs
Large Wood Christmas Tree by Wood-n-Knots

How did you get to where you are as a business? Also tell us about your beginnings? 

Verna McGuckin: My husband and I started off with a few locations in the city renting space on parking lots. When we first started we sold out of our vehicle! During those early days we bought our trees from a different wholesaler, but as we increased our locations and needed a much larger volume of trees, we started to buy directly from the farmers. We still retail, but now only from our main location at 7521 Roblin Blvd. . Our main business is now wholesale.

What is your signature product or Top sellers?
Verna McGuckin: Although our tree numbers are still much larger, our freshly handmade wreaths are becoming more popular every year! They are beautiful, but they also last longer than most types because of the type of boughs that we use.

Verna McGuckinPhotos by Kelly Allison Photography

What advice do you have in regards to your success?

Verna McGuckin: It has taken us over 20 years to build up our business! We work incredibly hard to give all of our customers-both retail and wholesale customers, very good service and a great product. Also, we have had to constantly monitor and make changes as the supply and demand of trees changes. When we first started in the industry, almost all the tree sales were Scotch Pine and the local MB spruce. We still sell both of those types, but now our most poplar trees are the Fraser Fir, then the Balsam Fir. Those were not even an option when we started.

What part Manitoba are you from? Where do you reside now?
Verna McGuckin: My husband grew up in Headingley and although we lived in Charleswood for the first 20 years of our marriage, we are now back in Headingley. I was born in South America, and at the age of 9 moved to Winkler where my parents still live.

Mandy Johnston of Co-Founder Makers Move Manitoba
holding a handmade wreath by RBM Trees and Wreaths
Photos by Kelly Allison Photography

Tell us something interesting about yourself?

Verna McGuckin:  I am always busy. We also started Thunder Rapids Amusement Park almost 20 years ago. When we first bought the land it was just a farmer’s field! Slowly over the years we added different attractions and now have quite a variety of attractions. Having the amusement park in the spring-fall season and then going right into the Christmas tree season gives us work almost year round, especially when you factor in the pre-season planning.
One of my passions during our “slow” time, is hiking and travelling. I was thrilled to have walked the last 250km of the Camino de Santiago, in Northern Spain with my sister. One day I would love to do the complete 800km journey.

What makes you proud to be a Manitoban?

Verna McGuckin: I’m a people person, and just love the friendly Manitoba people. Although I would choose to have shorter winters, I really appreciate the 4 distinct seasons and LOVE having snow at Christmas! I know there are lots of people living in poverty here, but nothing like I’ve personally seen in many other countries. To me, one of the best things about Manitoba and Canada in general is the relative safety I feel in our country. I think the more I see different parts of the world, the more I appreciate what we have here. 

Go get your Fresh Handmade Wreath or Tree 

Address: 7521 Roblin Blvd, Headingley, MB R4H 1A7

Phone:(204) 885-7223

Tree Lot Phone: (204)888-3124

Brought to you by Makers Move Manitoba?

Makers Move is a hub for all things handmade and home grown locally here in Manitoba! 

Makers Move Manitoba was created by proud Manitoba girls Mandy Johnston and Brandy Sylvestre. We wanted to create a platform to showcase the MANY incredibly talented makers movers and shakers located right here in our amazing province!

Makers Move is a community for our Makers and those who value the importance of shopping local and supporting small business; we work towards fostering connections between businesses and consumers, and in doing so we hope to inspire Manitobans to think about where they want to spend their money. Join the Makers Movement; together we can educate Canadians about the importance of supporting local business.

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- Anna Lappe

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Fellow Creative Souls and Founders of Makers Move Manitoba