Smith’s Florist and Gift Shoppe, located on Main Street in Gloucester, will hold its 50th anniversary celebration from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today. Refreshments will be served and there will be a drawing for gift items.
Jean Smith of Schley started the business “during the first week of May in 1964 … I can’t remember the day,” with her husband Kenneth, now deceased. Mrs. Smith was active in the store for about 45 years.
Her twin daughters, Connie Field of Gloucester and Karen Soles of Ware Neck, now manage the business, which has been at its present location for 30 years.
Smith said she has always sold a lot of fresh flowers, some coming from as far away as South America and Israel. In addition, she has also always sold assorted gifts in the shop, which was originally located several doors away in the building that now houses Split Enz Salon.
Times have changed, Smith said, and prices have risen over the years. For example, a dozen red roses in the early years of...