A Century at the Top

Anchorage florist has held “best” status for more than 100 years

By Vanessa Orr

agoy’s Florist & Home has consecutively been voted best florist in the state since 1922, which is a little ironic considering that the florist opened shop while Alaska was still a US territory. The family-owned business, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, is going strong under the management of Adam Baxter and his wife, Kristen Keifer.

The couple bought the business three years ago when Baxter was looking for a change from his career in commercial banking. He says the experience has been deeply rewarding.

“I believe that our phenomenal design staff, who are extraordinary in what they do and the product they present, sets us apart from other florists,” Baxter says, noting that lead designer Maria Calzada has been with the company for thirty-one years. “We also try and source the best product, handle it with care, and take great pride in our customer service. We want our clients to be happy.”

Celine Kaplan, acting executive director and marketing and public relations director of Anchorage Senior Activity Center, has been a Bagoy’s client for six years. The florist provides flowers for the senior center’s fundraising gala each summer, as well as for the facility’s day-to-day needs, like birthdays and sympathy arrangements.

“We chose Bagoy’s because of their design skills—we are always looking for something special and elegant for our gala,” explains Kaplan. “Every year we have a different theme, and we work closely with their designers to achieve the look we’ve envisioned.

“They are always welcoming of our ideas, and they offer great ideas themselves,” she adds. “Because the gala is so unique—under a tent outside in Alaska—it requires really special arrangements and décor.”

As the largest independent florist in the state, Bagoy’s serves every community that can be reached by plane, and last year distributed more than 7,000 pounds of flowers around the state. The company handles every step of the process, from insulating and packaging fresh goods and hard goods to taking the deliveries to airlines and arranging connections.

“I learned quickly when I got here that, while flowers are the final product, the business itself is largely logistics,” says Baxter. “It’s quite an accomplishment to get flowers to the store, delivered to customers locally, or shipped out to other communities.”

Store manager Julie Wilson says Bagoy’s customers range from large corporations and oil companies to individuals purchasing their first flowers. The company has even provided arrangements for US presidents.

“Customers remember buying their first prom corsage here, or buying flowers after asking a girl out,” says Wilson. “From galas in Anchorage to funerals in Barrow, we’ve been a part of people’s lives for a very long time.”

Wilson, who has been with the company for seventeen years, is especially proud of the floral 727 jet that the company created for the funeral of an Anchorage doctor, who was also a pilot, and of the giant floral diorama Bagoy’s design department created depicting a Bush airplane flying through the mountains.

Though Alaska is its primary market, Bagoy’s sends flowers anywhere in the world through its connections with FTD and other florists. It carries flowers, an extensive plant line, a variety of gifts, and custom gift boxes for corporations, among other items. Bagoy’s is also the only flower shop in Alaska that can sell and deliver alcohol.

“Getting a package license was a feat in itself, as was getting the delivery endorsement, shipping endorsement, packaging endorsement, and more,” says Baxter. “Now we can deliver wine, champagne, and bottles of bourbon—it’s just like ordering from DoorDash or Uber Eats.”

The option of sending a boozy bouquet or gift is quite popular; last year, the company sold more than 700 corporate gift boxes that included an alcohol component.

Since Marie and John Bagoy started the business in 1922 from their own greenhouse, the company has kept up with the times while staying rooted in its foundational values.

“We keep current with the latest technology, and social media is another component to staying relevant,” says Baxter. “We are also extremely committed to the community and give back through our Helping Hands initiative, school and military discounts, and sharing costs with nonprofit events.”

Baxter is also very involved with AGC, which he joined while working at the bank.

“When I resigned from the bank, a few contractor friends told me that I didn’t have to quit AGC; I could just make Bagoy’s a member,” he says. “And why not? Most members are our customers in one way or another, and I like supporting the construction industry. And they like supporting me.”

Luke Blomfield, AGC member and president and co-owner of Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc., is one of those customers.

“I’ve worked with Bagoy’s since I was a teenager in charge of sending out flowers for my dad’s company,” he says. “They have a terrific track record; they are always there when you need them and offer a fair price. And they are a very established Alaska company.

“Since they’ve gone through new ownership, they haven’t skipped a beat,” he adds. “The other day I needed flowers within a few hours, and they delivered $1,000 worth of flowers 40 miles away in the Valley with no issue. They’re just that good.”