Fallon's Flowers: North Carolina's oldest Florist thrives with legacy and floral excellence in Raleigh
Fallon's Flowers isn't just the oldest florist in Raleigh -- it's very likely the oldest in North Carolina, owners say. It was recognized by the public as the best, winning the best florist category in the 2023 WRAL Voters' Choice Awards.
The company has been around for more than 104 years, since the Fallon family migrated to Raleigh in 1919 and began growing their own flowers in a series of greenhouses near Oakwood Cemetery.
In 1920, the Fallons opened a retail shop on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, where they sold flowers for decades until they moved into the current building at 700 Saint Mary's St., which was originally a Piggly Wiggly.
The business was eventually sold to the Brown-Wynne family and is now owned by the McCarthy family. The longest-working employee started helping in the greenhouses 45 years ago and still works at the Saint Mary's Street location.
Frank Campisi has managed that location for 23 years. He said, while the ownership has changed, the family focus remains the same.
"I talk to customers who say, 'You did my mother's wedding 50 years ago,'" Campisi said. "It's just amazing. Or I meet three or four generations of family members that have all bought their corsages and boutonnieres here."
Three times a week, refrigerated semi-trailer trucks deliver fresh flowers to Fallon's. Campisi said around 50,000 deliveries are made to customers each year, but the number of annual orders is probably closer to 100,000.
The flowers come from all over the world, but Fallon's still utilizes some North Carolina growers. "We pull from everywhere -- we want to find the best, long-lasting flowers for customers," Campisi said.
Fallon's customers can order plants and floral arrangements, stop by the shop to pick up a gift or even create their own bouquet. The shop is also known for a special value. They sell a dozen roses, year-round, for only $12.95.
While a lot has changed in 104 years, you can expect to find the same service and commitment to quality the Fallons based their business on.
"We run it like a family," Campisi said. "I think the success of what we've achieved is based on how we take care of our customers. If we don't do a good job, they let us know and we fix it. That's what makes the foundation of this business."
