by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
For over 70 years, La Mee Florist has been more than just fresh flowers. The family owned business prides itself on customer service.
“We are 90 percent service and 10 percent flowers,” said owner Richard La Mee. “That is a key issue because there are so many people selling flowers today.”
La Mee said their customers get more value for their money.
“People like the service and we do everything we can for them,” he said.
Jerri Ann Bisset, a co-manager at their location in Independent Square said, to her, the flower shop is more about people than flowers.
“We are so much more than a florist,” she said. “We deal with people’s lives; past, present and future.”
Bisset has been with La Mee Florists for eight years and she is happy that she is able to help people during happy and sad times.
“I like to feel like I brighten someone’s day,” she said. “People are what it is all about.”
La Mee Florist is the oldest retailer in Jacksonville right now, La Mee said. Frank La Mee began the business seven decades ago. Richard’s mother, Pat La Mee, took over and now Richard is running the business. There are currently five locations and they are the only florist downtown. They have been at the location in Independent Square since the building opened 27 years ago. Norma Frame, a cousin of Richard, and co-manager, also works at their downtown location and has been since they opened at Independent Square.
“We are the only flower shop in downtown Jacksonville and we have been for years,” La Mee said. “Our location is important and we have stayed here and survived and most retailers have left. ”
There are a lot of businesses downtown and La Mee felt there has always been a need for a florist in the area.
“I really like what I am doing and I want to keep up the family tradition,” he said. “It helps me keep up with current events, from the Super Bowl, to weddings and parties.”
With thousands of football fans in Jacksonville for this year’s Super Bowl, La Mee Florist was asked to sell 2005 Super Bowl merchandise at their store because they were in such a great location.
“It was something different,” he said. “We went from flowers to footballs.”
La Mee’s business has evolved over time. Besides fresh flowers, the florist also offers silk flower arrangements, plants, fruit and gourmet baskets, greeting cards, balloons and gifts ranging from baby gifts to Jaguars memorabilia. Their gifts can be delivered citywide, as well as around the country. La Mee said they also service all hospitals and mortuaries.
By being in such a central location at Independent Square, most of their customers are from businesses in the surrounding area.
“At this location we do a lot for the businesses, whether it’s for anniversaries, birthdays, retirements, promotions; we cater to them,” La Mee said of his close customer base. “It makes it convenient for them to come here, or call and pick up their order.”
Bisset said a lot of their customers have been coming to them for so long that they trust them and respect them.
“I have some that call and say, ‘Jerri, do what you like,’ ” she said. “And that is an awesome feeling.”
If their customers are not pleased with their purchase there is a guarantee printed on the back of their envelopes telling them to call La Mee Florists within 24 hours because they want all of their customers to be satisfied.
“We hope we make a difference,” La Mee said. “We’ve had regular customers who have been family since day one.”
La Mee Florist is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, but orders can be made by telephone and by internet 24 hours a day.