By CRAIG FREILICH

NICHOLVILLE -- North Country Floral, about a mile east of Nicholville on State Rt. 11B, has opened in time for Valentine’s Day.

Owner Jerry M. Hayes, a dairy farmer for years and a construction worker for years after that, retired from the labor union, put up a metal building, “and decided to start a flower and gift shop,” he said.

“Between Malone and Potsdam, it looks like a pretty good spot to me.”

North Country Floral is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. He said he is open until the evening because he wants “to be open for the working person” after the work day is done.

“I’m an old farmer with a green thumb, and when the weather gets good we’ll have a lot of nice stuff growing outside,” Hayes said.

“So far it’s just me” working at the shop, with a mailing address of 3558 St. Hwy. 11B, North Lawrence, “but I’ll probably get at least one and maybe two” more people to work there.

Right now he says he has Valentine’s Day specials on real and artificial flower arrangements and assorted gifts.

To order or for more information, call 328-4760.