THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2022 Page 5 So long, Saugus Lomas Flowers, an iconic business in Cliftondale Square for more than four decades, will close on July 1 By Mark E. Vogler T hese past six months have been the best of times and the worst of times for Marsha and Paul LaCorcia, the proud owners of Lomas Flowers — a popular fl oral business and gift shop in the heart of Cliftondale. Last December, the Wilmington couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Then in March, they celebrated being in business for four decades and they looked forward to a few more years of selling floral arrangements, potted plants and a wide assortment of collectable gifts to their many loyal customers. But those plans have changed drastically in recent weeks, as Marsha and Paul — both 73 — decided they could no longer aff ord to keep running their business at 486 Lincoln Ave. They plan to close the iconic store next Friday (July 1). “It wasn’t our idea to retire,” Marsha said in an interview at the store this week. “Are we ready to go? No. But, we have to … for economic reasons that we don’t want to get into. When we close the store, we want to leave on a positive note,” she said. Paul agrees with his wife that it’s time to thank the town and all the loyal customers who supported their business over the years. “It was a very hard decision to make,” Paul said. “And it’s been very bittersweet, having to say ‘goodbye’ because of the circumstances. Unfortunately, with a lot of stores empty at Cliftondale Square, it makes it tough for people to survive. And we’re the latest of many to close,” he said. “But we want to thank all of our customers for supporting us through our 40 years here. We leave with a lot of good memories. We’ve made a lot of good friends.” Marsha echoes her husband’s sentiments. She points to a stack of “retirement” and “good luck” cards that are piling up on the counter. “People have been calling to wish us well. And everybody has been coming into the store to say ‘good-bye,’” she said, “so I want to thank the Town of Saugus and the people of Saugus for the years of friendship and the support they’ve given us.” Certified Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide seeks private work. No job too small. Experienced in hospital, nursing home and private home care. Call for the help you or someone you know needs. Call Betty at: 857-391-6335 For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-233-4446 or info@advocatenews.net HISTORY ON THE LAWN: Saugonian Stephen H. Belyea set up his World War II display at Veterans Memorial Park last Saturday for people who came to watch Saugus’s Annual Memorial Day Parade. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) She recalled that the town’s Department of Planning SO LONG, SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 7
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