Longtime Julia’s Florist devotees have taken over the reins of the area’s largest flower shop. 

New owners Katelyn and Jason Moore have worked at the florist for more than a decade. Katelyn Moore has been the store’s longtime operations manager after joining as a sales associate in 2009 and her husband Jason has been its delivery manager since 2008. 

“This is their baby now,” said previous owner Dana Cook. “Katelyn has been such a dedicated employee of the florist from day one. She truly lives, eats and breathes Julia's Florist.”

Katelyn Moore said the shift to ownership has been a natural progression. “We really love the business and know how important the flower industry is in our community,” she said. 

Cook purchased the business in 2008 after a career in corporate accounting. She said she is remaining available to the Moores as a consultant for the next three months to help with the transition. The purchase, which closed on Dec. 22, came as Cook’s other volunteer work was winding down; her two-year chairmanship of the Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Coastal Board of Managers wrapped Dec. 31, but she’ll continue serving on the board. 

With the recent big changes, Cook said she’s been getting plenty of questions about retirement. “I don’t know that I’ll ever retire,” she said. “I’ve always got to have several irons in the fire and something always going on.” 

During her tenure, Cook said the team doubled the business and staff size. Running Julia’s allowed Cook the ability to serve in a variety of philanthropic endeavors and become an integral piece of the business community. 

“I have loved every minute of it,” she said. “Now, there were moments of it when I was pulling my hair out – but being the owner of Julia's Florist, the opportunities that it presented for me were just limitless. I got to meet so many people in the community.”

No changes are anticipated for customers of the store at 900 S. Kerr Ave. "That really is going to be their focus, is just carry on," Cook said, "and continue sailing this ship down the river the way that it has been operated all along."