Image: SoundOfSunset / Dreamstime / An Abbotsford business owner is speaking out about online criticism she received in what seems to be a case of mistaken identity

By Don Mitchell

review bombs

Abbotsford florist recovers after facing backlash in case of mistaken identity linked to U.S. Election

Nov 22, 2024 | 7:09 PM

ABBOTSFORD – After receiving a flood of negative messages, the owner of a small Abbotsford flower shop took to social media on Thursday to clear the air in a case of mistaken identity.

Keri McKinley, owner of Everbloom Designs on McCallum Road, says she has spent the week in damage control, dealing with criticism and even threats directed at another retailer in the United States with a nearly identical name, criticized for its political views.

“We’ve been flooded with emails, social media messages, and comments accusing us of discrimination,” she said on Instagram.

“I am NOT the owner of the shop in the United States that has gone public with political views.”

 

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McKinley told Fraser Valley Today that the confusion stems from stories about a Tennessee retailer accused of refusing to service an event in support of President-elect Donald Trump, as reported by USA Today network outlet Commercial Appeal.

The first menacing statements began arriving earlier this week, and McKinley says she has deleted so many that she hasn’t been able to quantify the total.

“At first, it was maybe eight … and then the next day it was about 15, and the day after that, it was closer to 20,” McKinley recalls.

Examples of messages sent include: “The owner is a hateful and pathetic human being. It is disgusting that there are people like her in this world,” and “Very disappointing. Everyone knows you keep politics out of the workplace.”

The florist says she has reached out to administrators of review platforms, such as Google, where she has received unwarranted criticism.

However, each platform has an investigation process that takes time, and based on her experience, McKinley fears some reviews may never be removed.

“I’ve had one poor review in the past, and that review was fake, made by somebody who didn’t like one of my staff members. It never came down,” she explained.

McKinley believes being wrongly identified may have affected her business, citing “two unusually slow days” and one she described as “quite a lot slower.”

“It’s not just my business that’s misrepresented. I have over 100 small businesses within my store … it’s not just me and my flowers,” she said.

One positive outcome has been the support she has received in the 24 hours since posting her story, with many people leaving encouraging comments and reviews.

“I’m actually blown away, and it made me cry,” she said. “It’s been really lovely.”