By Jessica Legge Borders
FAIRMONT — Backwoods Flowers N More, a full-fledged florist, is now calling Fairview its home.
In September, owners Kurtis and Ricki-Linn Helgeson moved their business to 400 Main St., across from the Dairy Mart in the building that once housed the old clinic in Fairview.
Backwoods Flowers N More, started in July 2008, was formerly stationed on Market Street in Mannington.
This Christian-owned family business initially focused on silk and dried flower arrangements, but expanded in January of this year to also offer live floral arrangements. As a complete floral store, it can provide flowers for funerals, weddings, birthdays and other occasions.
The shop is looking into becoming a floral wire service in the near future, Kurtis said.
Backwoods Flowers N More tries to take photos of every single arrangement — whether it’s silk, dried or live — and upload them onto its Web site so people can see what they ordered. The site, www.backwoodsflowersnmore.com, is updated regulary.
Ricki-Linn puts together all the silk arrangements, which Kurtis said are unusual and one-of-a-kind. In addition, the store offers a variety of gifts items, including wall hangings and sympathy throws for funerals. Kurtis makes cheese grater lamps, and Redstone Candy is also available there.
“We have two rooms full of gifts,” he said.
Kurtis said he and Ricki-Linn, who live on the outskirts of Mannington, decided to relocate their shop because Fairview didn’t have a florist and had a need for these services. The Helgesons had been in contact with Fairview Mayor Doug White, who helped them find a building for their business.
Kurtis said they love being in the Fairview community.
“We’ve been well received since we’ve been here,” he said. “This is a small-town community, and they support (each other).”
The customers like the friendly atmosphere and service they get at Backwoods Flowers N More, Kurtis said.
“Our customers always come first,” he said.
Kurtis enjoys getting to go out into the community to make floral deliveries and seeing the smiles on customers’ faces. He said he loves to talk to the people and always tries to “take the time to acknowledge that they’re a customer.”
“We pride ourselves in all the work that we do,” Kurtis said. “We put a lot of hard work into it.”
Winter hours for Backwoods Flowers N More are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The store will also stay open late upon request in order to accommodate customers.
For more information, call 304-449-1400 or 800-791-0654.
E-mail Jessica Legge Borders at jlegge@timeswv.com.
