When people look for flowers that last, they visit Carmen's Florist in Pinehurst.

The establishment is a true example of providing the community with years of service, offering customers an honest and beautiful way to show care for family and friends with floral arrangements and gifts throughout the year.

"After 34 years, I still love it," says Carmen Wilson. "The business has been consistent, and we always try to please our customers."

Wilson maintains that people come to her shop because they know how much she cares about good service and floral arrangements that are custom-made.

"Our centerpieces are so beautiful," she says. "Our every day arrangements, holidays and our Christmas shop have become well known parts of our business."

When asked how the economy has affected business, Wilson says, "We try to offer people more for their money when they shop with us, with a lot of arrangements at good prices. Recently we have been selling fruit baskets. This gives our customers something more than just flowers. People can eat the fruit along with other items we put into the baskets."

Wilson says that even wholesalers have cut back because of sales.

"They don't offer as much as they used to," she says, "because they don't want to be stuck with an abundance of items they can't sell."

Several of the fruit baskets contain many gourmet items.

"We include cookies, nuts, sausages, cheeses, pretzels and anything the customer requests," says Wilson. "We use a variety of containers, nice containers."

Carmen's has both artificial and real flowers.

"We have an excellent assortment of flowers in many colors," she says. "Of course, for Christmas we are offering a lot of centerpieces, wreaths and decorations. We will have trees to sell, but we are not decorating trees in people's homes this year."

Wilson offers a full delivery service.

"Local delivery runs $7, and we deliver to Seven Lakes and Foxfire," Wilson says. "We have a lot of customers who call in their orders. Our business is a lot of word of mouth advertising."

Wilson says she has noticed a small downturn in sales.

"But things are holding pretty steady," she says. "We appreciate our customers. If someone calls at 9 a.m. and wants a delivery right away, we will deliver right away. Customers appreciate that. Over 34 years we have had very few complaints. If we do have any, we make it good for the customer."

Wilson thinks about retiring often.

"It's a lot of hard work," she says. "As you get older, standing on your feet and lifting things becomes more difficult."

With four employees and her husband, who helps deliver, Wilson appreciates every day.

"We have an older customer base who like traditional arrangements, especially for Christmas," she says.

Carmen's Florist is located at 35 Dowd Circle in Pinehurst. For more information, call (910) 295-1444.

Contact Raleigh freelance writer Anita Stone at writer7136@yahoo.com.