– Katherine Hausauer
Edible Arrangements, a company that delivers smiles with artistically designed fresh fruit bouquets and chocolate dipped fruit without sweeteners or preservatives, has opened a store in North Jacksonville at 731 Duval Station Road. The newest location hosted its Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting on April 3 for members of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce North Council, local business leaders, friends and family. This Edible Arrangements store now serves North Jacksonville, Arlington, Fernandina, Amelia Island, Yulee and Callahan, and joins four other Jacksonville locations.
The North Jacksonville store is the second location owned by the family partnership of Steve and Trish Kapustka of Arlington, and Natalie Sims of Gainesville. The members opened their first Edible Arrangements store in Gainesville in January 2008.
“We are excited to open just in time for Easter, Administrative Professionals Week and Mother’s Day, three of the busiest holidays for centerpieces and gifting,” said Trish Kapustka. “We are also pleased to serve areas of Northeast Florida that haven’t had a nearby Edible Arrangements store.”
Since its founding in 1999 in East Haven, Conn., the company has been recognized as an industry leader, ranking first in its category in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” Entrepreneur’s Top 40 of “Fastest Growing Franchises” and “America’s Top Global Franchises” as well as being included for eight consecutive years among the “Inc. 5000” list of the fastest growing privately held companies. With more than 1,200 franchise locations open or under development worldwide, Edible Arrangements International, LLC is the world’s largest franchiser of fruit bouquet shops.