Vanash Florals May Soon Vanish from Acton

You may be saying to yourself, “I didn’t even know there was a flower shop in Acton.” This is probably because you fly down Great Road. Slow down! In all seriousness, it’s probably because owner of , Karen Maines doesn’t have a sign up.

Maines lived in Acton for 14-years and currently resides in Boxborough. She raised two daughters (Vanessa and Ashley – hence Vanash) through the Acton public schools and has been an active member of the community, from PTO president to local business owner. She opened almost five years ago at 178 Great Road next to Dunkin’ Donuts, after moving from Colony Florist in Concord.

Since moving her business to Acton, Maines said she has had such a bad experience with Town officials over signage that she is seriously considering moving her business to her home in Boxborough; the for lease sign sits adjacent to where her business sign used to be. She still owns and operates the building but she may soon leave the flower shop property she once bloomed a new life into.

According to Maines, in the summer of 2008 she worked closely with Kristin Alexander from the Planning Department and Building Inspector Jon Metivier to properly place a sign on her property. According to Maines, she filed for a permit, her check was cashed and she received verbal approval that the sign was in ordinance from the Planning Department. Her sign went up and two years passed without any issues. Then on December 24, 2010, Maines received a letter from Zoning Enforcement Officer Scott Mutch, who was hired by the Town in September 2010, stating she was violating sign bylaws.

Violations consisted of the height of the freestanding sign, the length from the road, and the landscaping. She also has lettering on the awning above her door that does not comply with Acton’s sign bylaws, which she said is currently being addressed.

“I was told they didn’t stamp my permit,” said Maines. “So my biggest thing was it wasn’t like I just went up and put that sign out there. I worked with these people, and I completed the form and they cashed my check.”

According to Maines, since this ordeal began in 2008 she has been fined $6,600. As of a few weeks ago, Maines decided to take this case to court and she is now waiting for a hearing.

According to a statement released to Acton Patch by Scott Mutch, he is not at liberty to speak about the particulars of this case.

“This has caused me a tremendous amount of anxiety and physical stress,” said Maines. "I have passed out from all the stress and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cried. This has been very emotional for me.”

The sign has been taken down and Maines is concerned about loosing a great deal of business during what she calls the most important time of the year for a local flower shop.

“May is the busiest month of the year for me. We have Mother’s Day, prom, communions and graduations – not to mention weddings,” said Maines. “I’m losing all that walk-in business.”

Maines went on to explain, "If I do leave I don’t want people to think I left because of the economy. The economy has nothing to do with it.”