Photo by George Kunke - Les and Lynne Goodwin have decided to retire after 39 years in the floral and gift shop business. Nancy Germeaux (right) worked at Flowers by Lynne for 28 years.
Flowers by Lynne, an established business in Raymond for nearly four decades, closed its doors on New Year's Eve 2020. Owners Lynne and Les Goodwin put Flowers by Lynne on the market a couple of years ago and now want to enjoy their retirement.
Lynne said that it was not a very difficult decision for them to sell the building and retire.
"We had thought about it for a while as Les and I are both at the age of retirement," she told the Herald.
Lynne talked about what originally inspired her to go into business in the first place. In December of 1981, when the country was suffering from high-interest rates and a poor business market, Lynne and her husband, Les, rolled the dice, and the gamble paid off.
"I had always loved flowers and making people smile since I was a little kid," she said. "My mom helped me make corsages for my teachers when I was about 8-years-old. Eventually, I was hired at the local florist, The Posie Shop, back in September of 1973 when I was 17-years-old. In December 1981, Les and I decided to open Flowers by Lynne in the old Jensen Furniture building on Second Street in Raymond. "We owned and operated the business for 39 years. We started in December 1981, and Les and I were the sole owners."
For Lynne, the most gratifying part about being the owner of Flowers by Lynne was the customers and friendships made over the years. "Our wonderful customers that have become our friends. We will miss them very much, but hope to see them out and about when the pandemic is over."
The current coronavirus pandemic impacted the business, but it was not what prompted the Goodwins to sell the shop. "We did the best we could during that time. I think COVID has affected every business in many ways," Lynne said.
As it did on so many businesses, the pandemic did slow down sales. "We did no contact curbside pickup, and since we always did deliveries, that was what we kept doing," Lynne said. "People were so happy to get flowers delivered safely to their homes during this pandemic time."
The changing weather was one of the hardest challenges of running a floral business.
"Specifically for a flower shop it was planning out the flowers/perishables for the holidays and then having it snow, or other bad weather, during Christmas or Valentine's Day, and then having difficulties getting our flowers to us.," Lynne said.
Lynne's said her fondest memories at Flowers by Lynne were "Seeing smiles on little kids' faces when you gave them a flower; I was given a flower by the owner of the Raymond Flower Shop back in the late 1960's, and never forgot that. I must have been about 12-years-old. Flowers are a feeling, emotions that make memories."
About her new lifestyle of retirement, Lynne offered, "Les will be working out in his garage and I will continue to make and sell jewelry online as Lynne's Knot Board on Facebook and Etsy. Fishing sounds good, too."
Lynne said she received a lot of offers during that two-year period. "I had shown the building to quite a few people over the last couple of years."
The new owners took over the building last Monday (Jan. 8). Lynne would not go on record about who the new owner is. However, she did say, "The building will be an office and no longer a flower shop."
Asked if she knew of anyone in the area who was interested in operating a flower shop, she said, "Currently, florist Nancy Nisbet of Rhodesia Flower is running a shop at her home. She is on Facebook with her contact information."
At the time of closing, the only employees were Lynne, Les, and Nancy Germeaux. "On a busy holiday, such as Valentines Day, up to a crew of eight or nine people" were employed.
On the Flowers by Lynne's Facebook page, Lynne penned, "During the last 39 years, we have been humbled and honored to serve our community. We were blessed with customers who have become our friends and watched two generations of kids grow up. It is sad and bittersweet but all things must change."
In closing, Lynne said, "I would like to thank the community for their support over 39 years of being in business. We would like to thank Nancy for her support and help for 38 years."
Flowers by Lynne will certainly be missed.