Fiori & Fern Inaugurate Renewed 138 East Central St

On Friday at noon, Camford Property Group and Fiori & Fern hosted an open house and ceremonial ribbon cutting for the opening of 138 East Central Street – the culmination of a very long process.

Fiori and Fern first opened on Main Street in 2015 and then from 2018 on was located in a building adjacent to the Franklin Mill Store on Union Street. Shop owners Michelle Greenwood (formerly Fiori–meaning “flowers” in Italian) and Melissa Dwyer (formerly Fernandes), met and instantly clicked as friends and business partners. They combined their backgrounds in buying and business, to create a brick-and-mortar retail shop offering an ever-changing assortment of curated merchandise.

The selection includes everything from plants, stationary and home decor, to jewelry, beauty, apparel, books, and fresh, local flowers.

Meanwhile, the Franklin Food Pantry had sought to make the old, long-vacant “Dante Motors” building at 138 East Central into their home, just before Covid struck. While the building worked for a while, the Food Pantry determined it wasn’t the best fit, especially with the changes brought on by Covid. That’s when Brad Chaffee of Camford Property Group, who had been both building new and rehabbing old properties in town for several years, heard about their dilemma. He ended up taking over the building and also helping them convert the former Edwin’s Gifts on West Central Street into their ideal location.

Chaffee, always one to see potential, envisioned the old, and “underutilized” 138 East Central as upscale retail and office space and got to work updating and improving the property.

The ribbon cutting was the culmination, with both Camford and Fiori & Fern showing off their respective spaces. Chaffee also used the occasion to make a donation to the Food Pantry, represented by director Tina Powderly.

The event was attended by dozens of officials, friends, and others, including State Rep. Jeff Roy, who presented a proclamation to the business and offered words of congratulations.