Ambler Flower Shop owner Gene McGonagle has played a big role in helping the borough to blossom
Gene McGonagle is surrounded by blossoming plant life in his retail store, the Ambler Flower Shop.
McGonagle is also surrounded by a town that is blossoming, a town that he loves — Ambler.
“I was born and raised in Ambler, and have a great sense of loyalty to the town, so I became involved with Ambler Main Street when I took ownership of the shop in 2005,” McGonagle said.
His enduring affection for Ambler is the reason he volunteers more time than he likes to admit to AMS, an organization involving more than 100 volunteers, all devoted to “Downtown Ambler.”
As McGonagle will tell you, goals of AMS include helping Ambler thrive as a social, cultural and business center. He wants Ambler to be the spot that friends keenly recommend that you visit for good food, live music, theater, entertainment, shopping or a feel-good stroll down the avenue.
“AMS provides a common thread, brand identity and a mass communication platform for the town. It is also a forum for business owners to collaborate with the borough manager, council members and each other on developing fabulous townwide events,” McGonagle explained.
For example, the upcoming lktoberfest is a popular yearly community event. Cheryl Casalaneuovo, an Ambler Borough employee, takes a full year to make the event run smoothly, he said.
“She weaves her tracking and organizational skills into running the lktoberfest, Holiday marade and many other events too,” he said.
“During 2008, county and state funding for main street programs pretty much dried up, which put an end to a paid Ambler Main Street manager position,” McGonagle said. “Ambler Borough continued its support, along with key area businesses — such as Ambler Savings Bank — provLGLnJ finDnFLDO DnG vROunWHHU VuSSRUW IRU vDULRuV HvHnWV.
“At that time, I was one of two merchants on the AMS board and picked up the tasks of sending emails, creating a Facebook page, Twitter feeds and soliciting event and specials information from merchants for distribution. torking with meter mhillips, AMS board president, we embarked on a campaign to show tangible results,” he said. “By sharing results of email and Facebook communications, counting participants at events and engaging merchants to come up with event ideas and then providing them with support, we have been able to broaden our efforts.
“There are many businesses and residents who help AMS. Some of the key volunteers areW Heidie Hallowell, Allison tolf, Denine tish, haren malmer, Anne Marie Cuthberson and haren molesir. These folks want to help Ambler succeed.
“The best attended events are lktoberfest, the Holiday marade, the Classic Car Show and Restaurant teeks. te are also planning a weekend-long art and music festival for next year,” McGonagle said.
Steeped in history, the borough is named for Mary Johnson Ambler, a community-minded woman who led the valiant rescue and care of survivors of a local tragic headon train collision in 1856, which took the lives of 59 passengers.
Ambler is featured in the 1992 novel by Gay Talese, “Unto the Sons.” The saga is brought close to home through the lives of the author’s forbearers, some of whom emigrated from the “lld torld” to Ambler, which was incorporated in 1888.
“The Ambler Flower Shop actually dates back to 1910, when early owners tended to the gardens at the castle that now houses St. Mary’s,” McGonagle said.
McGonagle has two sons, James and Ian, of whom he is a proud dad.
“They are amazing kids and enjoy access to the many opportunities in the greater Ambler area,” he said.
McGonagle said he enjoys golf and tennis, but with limited time, he likes to spend it watching his kids participate in sporting events.
0FGRnDJOH DnG KLV flRwHU VKRS DOVR GRnDWH WLPH DnG resources for the Upper Dublin Education Foundation, Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard, St. Mary’s Villa, Ambler hiwanis and the Ambler Rotary.
“I believe in paying it forward in my business and perVRnDO OLIH. BHLnJ Ln WKH flRwHU EuVLnHVV DOORwV PH WR EH helpful in many different capacities,” he said.
Citizen participation is critical to the evolution and success of Ambler, McGonagle said.
“Volunteers with time and any skills can make such a difference. te welcome everyone to stop by the Ambler Main Street tent during lktoberfest to say, ‘Hi,’ make a donation or a commitment to join our volunteer list. Look for the AMS tent in front of the Ambler Borough Hall.”
lktoberfest will be held on Saturday, lct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy music, food, rides for the kids, original artwork, hand-crafted items and much more. Rain date is lct. 7. Information is available at amblermainstreet.org.