Being open 82 years as a small business is a remarkable achievement.

Bob’s Flower Shop, 1214 Main St., Northampton, has logged more than eight decades in business and is regarded as a fixture at its location across from the Northampton Diner, according to shop owner Barbara Miller.

Miller’s parents opened the shop in 1940. It was a time when there was no Internet, no social media - only rotary phones and party lines, and most people did not yet have a television.

In 1940, the business climate was quite different from today. It was mostly a shoe leather business with customers visiting the shop to purchase flowers, plants and other items for sale.

In 2022, Miller noted about 95 percent of her flower and plant sales are now online and get delivered. She has employees, but they have far less face-to-face contact with customers.

Bob’s Flower Shop’s motto is “where quality counts and satisfaction guaranteed.” The website, bobsflowershop.com, has a stunning array of Valentine’s Day flowers and numerous other items for sale.

One thing that is constant - Valentine’s Day remains a big day for Bob’s Flower Shop. A visit to the shop features numerous interesting items for sale that make for a romantic holiday - flowers, plants, chocolates, red rose bath soap, clothing and other items.

Miller said there are no new fad-like items the public is craving in 2022, so she thinks it will be a regular Valentine’s Day celebration like so many before. Miller did recommend shoppers not wait until the last minute to buy something for their valentine.