In the past ten years, flower shops in Boston and the United States have been closing their doors. The population of flower shops is descending at a rapid rate. Rising costs and a withering economy have closed the doors of many Boston florists.
As a Boston florist, we moved out of our Faneuil Hall location in May. The lack of florists is causing a huge void in a city where flowers are so loved. Wisteria is gone from Rowes Wharf. Holbrow's is no longer at government center but now in Quincy. Milk street florist used to be legendary. Anthony Depari, Joe Taibi, and Jack Ramsey of Gould's Florist have all passed away and their shops cease to exist. Winston Flowers is no longer on Boylston Street and moved their Post Office Square to a smaller store near South Station.
I miss the visuals of Dutch Flower Garden on Newbury Street and Harvard Square. Christopher's of Harvard Square in Cambridge was a huge talent that the floral industry and Cambridge suffer from their closing.
Minihane's of Brighton has sold their building and moved into retirement. Kaboom in Brighton has also closed. While B&G Sawin of Brighton remains in business, their storefront is no longer. Dahlia's in Boston also had their property sold and did not find no digs.
Zeeba Flowers in Brookline chose not to find a new location in Coolidge Corner. The Empty Vase and Flora & Fauna in the South End are no longer. Kabloom in the north end, School Street and South Station are all gone.The Boston Flowers Shop in Kenmore Square is gone.
Boylston Street Florist in Boston is gone. Rob Roy in West Roxbury gone for a long time. Flower Loft in Quincy ? Exotic Flowers in Cohasset ? Petal & Leaf in Jamaica Plain.
Where is my pal Kip Seltzer of Selzer's Chestnut Hill ? Rest in peace, Kip.
Rising costs and a poor economy are crushing the small business owner.
At Exotic Flowers, we have five florists in a one mile radius that includes Walk Hill Florist, City Farm, Louie the Florist and Flowerland. This plethora of florists is good for business. Competition breeds success.
What happened to giant florist chain Kabloom flowers ? Kabloom arrived on the Boston scene in 1998 with a wave of publicity. With Staples' Tom Stemberg an early investor, KaBloom was on the fast track opening locations throughout Boston and the country. Founder David Hartstein wished to be the Starbucks of flowers.