After more than 40 years in business, Whitesboro’s renowned Hedges Nursery and Florist will now be Hedges Nursery and Gift Shop after having recently sold their florist business to Billie Jean and James Hayes.
The story begins in 1974 when Carroll and Jean Hedges first bought Texoma Florist, located east of town. The couple mentioned that Jean was looking for a job, and the owner asked (half-jokingly) if they wanted to buy a flower shop.
Jean loved it right away, and the couple bought the florist the next day. They didn’t have any prior flower experience, but two good employees taught them the ropes and Jean discovered she had a natural talent working with flowers.
Five years later, the Hedges built the property on Main Street where they operate today. It’s changed hands over the years, and has housed everything from western wear to feed, but ultimately wound up back under Hedges’ ownership.
Hedges Nursery and Florist has built a loyal customer base and, according to Jean, “We’re getting more and more every day.” Folks come from as far as St. Jo and Bowie to purchase their plants and flowers.
However, a couple of months ago, the Hedges began discussing the idea of selling their property.
“Carroll’s 82 and I’m 78,” Jean said. “We don’t need to be working as hard as we are.”
The Hedges had hoped to sell the entire business, but a recent opportunity came (literally) knocking on their door when longtime Whitesboro resident and friend, Billie Jean Hayes, stopped in to say hi over the summer.
“I know it sounds weird, but it felt like the Lord told me to stop in for a visit,” Hayes said.
She had worked for the Hedges in 2007 for several years and had a good friendship with the couple. On this particular visit, as she entered the shop, she misread a sign on the door and thought the Hedges were looking to hire some help. While that wasn’t the case, they did realize that Hayes could possibly fill in for a couple of days a week they were shorthanded. This led to more work, and more opportunities for the friends to chat.
Four years prior, Carroll had told Hayes she should buy their business. As much as she would have loved that, she couldn’t afford to purchase the entire property. But over the summer, the conversation changed and the opportunity looked different. The Hedges were willing to sell Hayes just the florist side of the business.
“We talked and came up with something that worked for everyone,” Hayes said. “And now, my husband and I own a florist business.”
The purchase not only included the Hedges florist business, but their phone number and clientele, as well.
Hayes’s Florist officially opened for business on Oct. 5 for phone orders and delivery. The storefront, which will be located on North Union Street (originally the Harold Brown Real Estate building), isn’t quite open as the couple is still preparing the building and securing merchandise.
Hayes’s Florist will offer fresh flowers, arrangements, plants and home décor.
“We’re trying to find unique items that aren’t offered at other shops in town,” Billie Jean said.
The store front is scheduled to open Oct. 21. In the meantime, they’re taking call-ins and making deliveries now. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon. Call 903-564-9141 to place an order.
“James has lived in Whitesboro his whole life and I moved here when I was 18,” Billie Jean said. “We love our community and are super excited to be in business here. We’re thrilled to be able to provide this service to the community.”
Hayes’s Florist plans to join the Whitesboro Area Chamber of Commerce and will eventually hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting.
In the meantime, Hedges Nursery and Gift Shop is still in business on West Main Street. In addition to plants, trees, shrubs, pumpkins and soil, the Hedges also sell silk florals, cracked/shelled pecans, homemade desserts and gift items that can’t be found on the shelves at big box stores.
The Hedges, who will celebrate 61 years of marriage on Nov. 2, are still interested in selling the remainder of their property and have had a couple of good prospects.
“People ask what we’ll do with our free time. We’ve got plenty to do,” Jean said. “We’ll garden, plant trees, help our kids. We’ll keep going and doing things. We’re not people who just sit around.”
Carroll, who grew up on a farm and is one of the few people in the area with an American Farmer degree, is looking forward to spending more time doing what he loves.
“I cut my teeth on a tractor,” Carroll said. “At six years old, I was out harvesting corn with my dad. If I died on a tractor, I’d be happy.”
Until the property is sold, the Hedges invite everyone to continue to shop with them for nursery, silk floral and gift needs.
“Come by and sit down and talk awhile,” Carroll said.
Their hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.