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Community Corner

It's Your Business: Carabetta Florist

Business Blooms for Meriden Florist on Valentine's Day

It’s Valentine’s Day – a day to celebrate love and affection.  It’s also the day many men scramble to area florists looking for the perfect bouquet for their sweethearts.  In fact, more than 150 million red roses are sold throughout the United States today.

In honor of this day of romance, Meriden Patch recently caught up with Carabetta Florist on East Main Street.  The shop was founded in 1929 by Salvatore Carabetta, who moved to Meriden from Italy.  His son Sam also helped out with the family business and created the pink mini carnation, which is still referred to as “Sam’s Pink" Carnation.

In 1961, George Carabetta took over the business from his father and ran it for 28 years before selling it to his nephew Scott Kipphut, who is the current owner. 

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“We always kept flowers in the family,” says Kipphut.  “At one time our family had five florists – four in Connecticut and one in Maine.”

Indeed – flowers surely are a family business.  Across town from Carabetta Florist is Rose Flower’s & Gifts – named after Kipphut’s Aunt Rose, and run by his two cousins.  Kipphut also worked there for more than a decade.

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 “I worked at my uncle’s greenhouses in the summer when I was 11,” Kipphut explains.  “When I got my driver’s license, I delivered flowers for my other relatives' flower shop in town.  I stayed working in the industry until my uncle’s retirement, when I purchased the business from him.”

Valentine’s Day is the most popular holiday for Carabetta Florist and Kipphut expects up to 200 orders, which equals about 1,500 roses. 

While red roses are the most popular flower this time of year, Kipphut says tulips are a best seller among his customers.

Along with selling bouquets, Carabetta Florist also does wedding and funeral arrangements.

Seventy five percent of his flowers come from South America.  The others are grown in Holland, California, and even some local greenhouses.

Kipphut says last year, business was slower than usual because of the bad economy. 

“Flowers are a luxury item.  Buying flowers is not a top priority when it comes to paying bills.”

However, with the economy recovering, Kipphut is optimistic business will begin to bloom again.

“We offer friendly service and a quality long lasting product that comes with three generations of experience.”

For more information about Carabetta Florist, visit:

http://carabettaflorist.com/

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