The types of businesses lining the downtown byways tend to change over time as our needs for products and services evolve. The demand for flowers, however, is perennial. Flowers are a part of human culture around the world and throughout history. There is evidence of early humans using flowers to decorate burial sites as early as 14,000 years ago. All these millennia later, we still use flowers to express feelings, enhance beauty, and mark happy, sad, and sweet milestones.
Given humanity’s long history with flowers, it is perhaps appropriate that one of downtown Morgantown’s oldest businesses is a florist. Coombs Flowers opened on Canyon Road in 1952 before moving to Fayette Street two years later. It landed at its current location at 401 High St. in 1960, and has been under the ownership of the Coombs family for the last 71 years. The shop serves Morgantown, Westover, Granville, Sabraton, Star City and WVU. A complete list of the hospitals, funeral homes and other facilities Coombs delivers to is available on the website — coombsflowers.com.
Expertly crafted floral arrangements and live plants are available to order online, over the phone or in person. As a member of the Teleflora network, Coombs can fulfill orders received from anywhere in the country.
The interior of the brick-and-mortar shop has a timeless quality and is pleasantly packed with not only multi-colored blooms but also gifts like candles, soaps, and throw pillows to complement any special day.
One of the most essential things available at Coombs Flowers is long years of experience. The current owner, Jim Coombs, grew up assisting his parents, the original owners, in the shop. He has focused his business on quality customer service and masterfully executed arrangements.
Humans use flowers to facilitate emotional expression, enhance celebrations, create beautiful environments, and bolster spirits. Whatever event or feeling, Coombs can provide the flowers to make it all the more significant.
EVA MURPHY is a freelance business writer for The Dominion Post. She writes a column on businesses, churches and other entities in the city. To suggest a topic, email her at Newsroom@DominionPost.com.
