Mother-daughter duo opens Forever Flowers & Boutique in Wilton

Debbie Dow and Heather Acorn are a mother-daughter duo ready to start a new chapter.

Forever Flowers & Boutique, a new floral retail shop, opened in downtown Wilton on April 1.

“We were trying to find something that we both enjoyed doing,” Acorn said.

‘A flower shop?’

When Dow retired after 15 years, she joined her daughter assisting with Acorn’s cleaning business in southern New Hampshire.

One day, Dow brought up her dream of opening a flower shop.

Acorn remembers distinctly saying, “What? A flower shop?”

Soon the flower shop idea became a blend of flowers and handmade creations. Acorn has always been crafty, so the two decided to combine their interests and open the shop to vendors.

Now Forever Flowers & Boutique provides an assortment of flower arrangements and personalization options, as well as crafts made by Acorn, her grandkids and local artisans.

‘Find me again’

Acorn knows the ins and outs of starting a new business.

Before starting her part-time cleaning business, she owned a salon in downtown Jaffrey until she had major back surgery.

Acorn said she opened her salon with little to no money, similar to her new shop with her mom.

“When we want to do something, we’re doing it,” she said.

Both women have grown kids and are finding their way.

“I was at the point where I really need to find me again. I’m always taking care of somebody else,” Acorn said.

In Acorn’s free time away from her three jobs: florist, house cleaner and model, she continues to craft on her own or with her grandkids. She makes her own clothing, handmade soaps, jewelry and bakes cakes for special events.

“I go home and then I’m off work, but not. I’m still making things,” she said.

Her grandkid’s creations can be found for sale in the shop. Daniel Thiveault, one of her grandsons, sells his handmade keychains.

Home Sweet Home

Acorn remembers growing up in downtown Wilton.

“I used to walk downtown, I’d go to the movie theater, and do all that when I was younger,” she said.

Currently, she lives in Antrim, but she said this is helpful for their business because she can easily make flower deliveries.

Forever Flowers & Boutique has a large variety of floral arrangements and design options, including occasion-specific, holiday specials, fresh and silk options and a botanical selection.

They also take calls and online orders for personal designs. Whether the customer has a clear plan or not, Acorn said they can craft something with little information, like the recipient’s favorite flower or color. She said customers can provide a price range, and then they can work with them from there.

Acorn said her background as a beauty technician gives her experience with color coordination.

“It’s pretty good to be able to coordinate different colors and coordinate different ways that make it go together really nicely,” she said.

There are currently eight vendors, but Dow and Acorn are looking for more artists to showcase in their store.

“We’re trying to figure out what people are looking for around here, the niche of what’s wanted and what’s needed,” Acorn said.

To learn more about this new business, go to their Facebook: Forever Flowers & Boutique or stop by on Main Street in downtown Wilton.