Tioga Gardens’ floral shop announces closure

Last week, Christopher Kuhlman, owner of Tioga Gardens Florist, LLC, announced his retirement, as well as the closure of the floral and gift shop portion of the business located on State Route 17C in Owego. With this announcement, Kuhlman called his decision to retire bittersweet. 

But after growing up in the business for 12 years, and then spending 36 years operating the business since his graduation from SUNY Cobleskill, Kuhlman stated that it is time for him to head in another direction.

“I love my business and I love the floral industry,” said Kuhlman, “but I would have to make too many changes to keep up with the industry and the competition coming in from the Internet.”

This change in the industry was the main reason cited by Kuhlman that prompted a decision to retire and close the shop. He called the changes a trickle down effect that is making things difficult for small floral shops to survive.

He explained that many people are ordering flowers online, and that by the time he gets the actual order from FTD, BloomNet and others, he only sees a percentage of the actual sales. He also noted that many other “big box” stores are expanding to offer similar products as his, and that is hurting his sales.

“The big box stores can offer the products, but they can’t provide the service,” said Kuhlman.

And this squeeze, he commented, is not new to the area. He talked of how the region has seen the closure of several small floral shops over the years, like Barnes Flowers and Edelweiss in Endicott, to name a few. 

But with his roots planted deep in the business, saying goodbye to his customers, Kuhlman admitted, will not be easy.

Tioga Gardens, which graces the landscape along Route 17C just past Hickories Park and parallel to the river, has been a tradition for many families as they have catered to the floral needs of many in the community.

In early 2011, Kuhlman and his brother, Ed, decided to split the business, creating Tioga Gardens Florist, LLC and Tioga Gardens, Inc.; the latter will remain open on the grounds and operational. The wedding facilities on-site will also remain operational, he added.

Just after this business split, floodwaters arrived and the business saw two feet of water. This was on April 28, 2011. Then, in September of 2011, the business had five feet of water when Tropical Storm Lee hit the area. 

Kuhlman said he had flood insurance, and was the recipient of several grants that helped – but it wasn’t enough.

“These helped,” said Kuhlman of the insurance and grants, “but it always costs more.”

Fast forward five years, and post flood recovery and cleanup; the floral shop owner’s life was changing right along with the industry.

In September of this year, Kuhlman married Steve Novak, valley resident and business owner; and the decisions that were put off surrounding his survival as a small business owner were coming to the forefront.

“I’m going to do something different now and will have more time to spend with my new husband,” said Kuhlman, after his decision became final.

 “I may do something down the road to keep my floral skills savvy,” said Kuhlman. “Things are changing, and it’s time to move on to a new chapter.”

And Kuhlman, who is now a valley resident, isn’t going too far. With an anticipated closure of Nov. 12 of the floral operations, and a going out of business sale taking place through that date, he vowed to stay connected with those he has grown to love throughout the years and will maintain the friendships created.

Bittersweet, Kuhlman stated, “It’s sad because it has been my life. It’s hard saying goodbye to the customers. But it’s a new beginning.”

The floral and gift shop employs three full-time and two part-time employees, and is one branch of operations at Tioga Gardens. The other portion, the landscape and gardens, or Tioga Gardens, Inc., will remain open at the same location, and operated by Kuhlman’s brother, Ed.