CARIBOU, Maine — Kimber Noyes and his wife, Cynthia, have been florists in Caribou for 41 years. The two settled in at their current location on Franklin Street 31 years ago, and Noyes Flower and Plant Shoppe has weathered some changes in the industry.
“This has been a good year,” said Noyes, as he, his family and employees planned and prepared for one of the two busiest days of the year for florists: Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Both are big for his store, according to Noyes.
“Valentine’s day is all about roses,” he said, adding that although red roses are always the biggest sellers, other colors have become more popular in recent years.
“We try to get Cupid out there throwing arrows everywhere,” said Noyes. He recalled a time when it was more difficult to get shipments of the flowers and other supplies needed to run a florist in northern Maine. Staff sometimes had to meet trucks in Bangor or farther south.
Although the supply chain has a farther reach than in decades past, most of the flowers are not now grown domestically, Noyes explained. He would like to source more of the flowers from inside the U.S. and may go in that direction soon.
“There’s a movement to grow domestic flowers,” said Noyes, noting that labor costs are one of the obstacles to growing flowers in this country.
Surveying the bustling shop, Noyes said the advent of big-box stores in Presque Isle may have impacted similar florist businesses in the Star City, but not in Caribou. During busy times like Valentine’s Day, family members and employees rally to help out as needed.
Noyes credits his business success over the years to the loyalty of his customers, but also clearly enjoys what he does.
“Everyone deserves flowers,” he said. “When you can go to work and have fun, you can have a good life.”
