Gloucester Florist, Ltd., relocated in early May to new quarters at York River Crossing Shopping Center, Hayes.

Owner Kim Walthall of Yorktown said the move was necessitated when her lease was not renewed for her previous spot at the center, which will be used as part of the new Gloucester Library branch to open later this summer.

Although she has less retail space in which to showcase lots of gift items and artwork, the new shop includes a larger cooler to keep flowers fresh.

Walthall said the shop is kept busy providing flowers for churches, offices, and at funerals, walk-in customers, and for holiday tables and lots of flowers during prom season.

"We have a good customer base," Walthall said, with some customers having used the services of Gloucester Florist for many years.

The business was started by her late mother, Emma Walthall, in August 1968 at Hayes Plaza Shopping Center, across Route 17 from the present shop. Kim Walthall worked for her mother and becam...