Newly elected Bayport-Blue Point Chamber president Karl Auwaerter, Bayport Flower Houses third-generation owner and manager, was already at this beloved landmark helm bursting with all things colorful at least two hours before his 8:30 a.m. interview conferring with staff.

“We operate more as a board,” he said when asked about his chamber goals. “We want to raise up our business promotions and increase the value of our membership.

“I’m like a conductor. We have a lot of talent.”

One of the two biggest chamber events in the large outside Winter Farmers Market greenhouse on Bayport Flower Houses grounds, is the upcoming Bayport-Blue Chamber Community Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 4 to 8 p.m., at 940 Montauk Highway, Bayport.  Around 50 businesses, including fire departments and ambulance entities, will be there. Flo’s is coming, too, along with Nature Nick.

“Seth Needelman [The Fish Store] is heading that committee up,” he said. “It will allow businesses to introduce themselves personally to the community. There’s nothing better than making connections one-on-one, and it’s to show the residents what we have to offer. When you see a face with a business, it acts as a driving force to use them.”

Meetings are the fourth Wednesday of the month, and the meeting times are varied: morning, mid-day and evening to accommodate schedules. There are 150 chamber members; community organizations are encouraged to join, but one of the challenges, as he pointed out, is “we don’t have a walking downtown, so it’s important to raise our awareness.”

(It sure gets bumped up during their St. Patrick’s Day Parade, in its 32nd year, probably the largest in Suffolk County).

“We have a strong Beautification Committee with our plantings and hanging baskets and bows,” he said, adding, “We just want all the lampposts working. And with our chamber, you have to address two hamlets.”

Regarding his second term as president, “We had to develop new board members. I agreed to come in and keep the ship running. Then with the new board members stepping in, leadership roles would form.”

“My family and the Auwaerter families have known each other our whole lives,” said Bayport Civic Association president Bob Draffin. “Karl won our 2023 Civic Pride Award given to those who make an outstanding contribution in all aspects of Bayport and serves as vice chair of the Bayport-Blue Point Student Educational Enrichment and Development nonprofit that we started over a dozen years ago. We sponsor aspects like field trips or if a robotics team needs money for a competition, extra-curriculum things not part of the normal budget. If there’s one business in town that captures the essence of Bayport, it’s his business. He’s almost too kind at times. He does it because he’s proud of his community. He’s involved with the Farm Bureau and Cornell Cooperative Extension. And you couldn’t find a more humble person. He’ll be a wonderful president. We’re looking forward to the upcoming Expo.”

Although wanting to keep the focus on the chamber, Auwaerter was coaxed into discussing his business, one of the few retail stores on Montauk Highway, one that dates back to 1921 when grandparents Paul and Maria Auwaerter emigrated from Germany and started a wholesale carnation business. It was established as Bayport Flower Houses in 1932.

“We have a lot of family members working,” Auwaerter said, “my wife Amy, son John, sister Christine, her husband Les. My dad Gisbert, who’s out in Cutchogue now, still comes in sometimes.”

You have to love this place. Petey the chocolate Lab adds to the ambiance with his wagging tail. (You might get a smooch from him.) There’s even a rescue chicken house. Friendly, helpful service, beautiful plants, flowers and gifts artfully arranged and upbeat music—there’s a higher vibration here, and it’s a nice place to wander through.

Between 35 to 60 staffers are managed; Auwaerter is also at the ferry docks with Fire Island shipments early, chatting with Ken Stein several times a week.

“I started working with my dad when I was 5,” he said. “We’d go to the flower market in the city at 4 a.m., then he’d drop me off at the Academy Street School. I’d help to disbud chrysanthemums when I could.” He now oversees eight acres, with the addition of 1.5 acres on Gillette Avenue, Bayport Flower Farms LLC, the front part of where Stemmler Farms was located across the street. They are now on Maple Street in Blue Point. The parcel was purchased last November for extra growing space.

“I didn’t want to see the property turn into more housing, and we could use the space” he said.  Named one of the top 100 garden centers in the U.S., Auwaerter said, “Our mission statement is to bring joy to people. People are coming here to be happy; even when death occurs, there’s a comforting factor.”