NORTHAMPTON — A week after Nuttelman’s Florist fell victim to a large robbery, store owners say they have received an outpouring of community support that has helped the store recover from the theft.

The florist shop was robbed sometime in the evening of May 6 after someone jimmied the lock to the greenhouse to gain access to the business at the corner of Prospect Street and Woodlawn Avenue. Once inside, the thieves took an undisclosed amount of cash from the cash register, as well as cameras, laptops, checkbooks, checks sent by customers, and envelopes with cash tips in one of the offices.

But Mary Nuttelman, wife of store owner Chip Nuttelman, said they have felt “more than blessed” by the way the community has rallied around the store following the incident. It didn’t hurt that the incident occurred shortly before Mother’s Day, giving the perfect opportunity to come in and support the business.

“We’ve seen customers who said they hadn’t been in the store for years, but that they wanted to come in and support us,” Nuttelman said. “It’s been a very accelerated Mother’s Day surge.”

Nuttelman added that several customers have given donations, ranging from a simple $20 bill to “envelopes with much larger amounts.”

The case remains under investigation by the Northampton Police Department. Following the robbery, the sign in front of Nuttelman’s read “Whoever robbed our shop last night, karma is coming.” It now reads, “We’re so grateful for the community. You’re the best.”

Council meetingrescheduled

The City Council rescheduled its meeting this week to next Wednesday, May 21, allowing some additional time before it receives the mayor’s fiscal 2026 budget.

The council normally meets every first and third Thursday of the month to discuss matters, but the scheduled meeting for Thursday was pushed back almost a week. The city posted the change in date on its website on May 9.

The change in schedule is likely to give councilors more time to review the mayor’s planned fiscal budget before beginning the first reading to approve the budget at its next meeting.

Last year, the council took until July to approve the budget, following strong divisions over how much money should be allocated to the schools. Those divisions are likely to be on display again in upcoming discussions, with Mayor Gina-Louise having stated her intention to increase school spending by 5.8%, around half of what was recommended by the Northampton School Committee.

‘Tree City USA’

Northampton has been named a 2024 “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation for its dedication to urban forestry, alongside receiving a Growth Award for enhancing tree care and community engagement.

Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra praised the collective effort behind the achievement, saying in a statement that “this award reflects the dedication of our Tree Warden, the Public Shade Tree Commission, and countless volunteers who help sustain our urban forest. Trees are vital to our city’s health, beauty, and resilience.”

The Arbor Day Foundation, a global nonprofit, has supported tree planting initiatives for over 50 years, with more than 500 million trees planted worldwide. The Tree City USA program recognizes communities that prioritize urban forestry to improve sustainability and livability.

To earn Tree City USA recognition, a city must uphold four core standards, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration.

In announcing the award, the city cited several benefits to urban forestry, such as helping mitigate the heat, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and boost mental and physical health. It also said the planting of trees across the city can help reduce traffic noise, increase property values, and lower energy costs for homeowners.

Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.