A J Florizoone:

founder and driving force of MELI.

 

On 10 March 1907 a fifth son was born to the Florizoone family in the town of Wulpen in West Flanders.

He was called "Alberic Joseph" after his godfather.

 

 

After a happy childhood in Veurne young Alberic started showing interest in bees, a hobby which had already been pursued by the family for 4 generations. At that time honey was a rare product used in the family’s domestic circle.

 

However, he was the first within the family to start selling the honey of his father’s bees to friends and acquaintances.

 

This had never been done before at the time.

  

The young man used all means available at that time to reach as many people as possible with a hive of living bees and a supply of honey jars. At trade fairs, fun fairs and on markets. Tourists, passers-by and partygoers.

  

Gradually the hobby evolved into a full-time activity, and in 1934 Alberic Florizoone bought a plot of agricultural land in Adinkerke.

 

On this land he built an exhibition space and a cafeteria.  First telling the story of the bees and then selling the honey. These were the first steps.

 

The Meli park had become a reality.

 

 

When he died in 1992, AJ Florizoone was known and respected as a pioneer of amusement parks and owner of a flourishing honey company.

To most Belgians his brand "Meli" is synonymous with "honey".

A book has been written on the fascinating life of this remarkable man.