Holdrege Floral Finds New Owner

For the first time in more than 55 years, John Rupe can relax a little on Valentine’s Day.

As of February 1, Holdrege Floral will be under new ownership as Lori Hunt of Axtell, and her father, Bill Dahl, have purchased the long-time Holdrege business.

Lori and her family owned and operated Floral Expressions in Kearney for the past 15 years and will be closing operations in Kearney and moving their entire business to 518 East Ave. in downtown Holdrege. They will welcome their existing clients as well as the long-time clients served by Holdrege Floral into their new business called Holdrege Floral Expressions.

Lori is originally from Axtell and first realized her knack for flower arranging during a class in high school. After high school, she studied graphic design but later realized she loved working with customers and using her design skills to arrange flowers. She is now married to Kevin Hunt, a Holdrege High School graduate, and they live in Axtell.

She heard about the Holdrege Floral business being for sale in the late fall of 2016, and it was a perfect match for her and her family.

A fresh coat of paint and a few other cosmetic changes in the Holdrege Floral entry are just a few of the changes she has made so far. The hours (8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays) will remain the same for now. A website and a new exterior sign and other changes will come in the future.

Rupe purchased the flower shop in 1959 with a partner and then became the sole owner in 1981. He and his son, Chad, and many of the Holdrege Floral staff continue to work at the flower shop to help with the transition and as needed beyond that.