New England Flower Exchange opens its doors in Chelsea

Meg Taylor and Barbara Popolow chatted Wednesday at the New England Flower Exchange. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Spring is in the air in Chelsea as the former Boston Flower Exchange officially opened in its new location on 2nd Street, ending a 45-year run at its old warehouse in the South End. The wholesale flower cooperative has renamed itself the New England Flower Exchange, with 10 vendors moving to the 65,000-square-foot facility.

Natural light pouring from skylights and new LED lighting makes the warehouse look “clean and cheery,” said Meg Taylor, who stocked up on delphiniums, tulips and orchids for Anderson’s Florist in Arlington.

“It was great to see everybody still together,” Taylor said. “They had all of those beautiful flowers there, and everybody was so upbeat and happy that it finally happened.”

The South End site was purchased by the Abbey Group, which has extensive plans to redevelop it.

The renamed New England Flower Exchange has moved to Chelsea. David L Ryan/Globe Staff

Wednesday was the first day of business. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Michele Bernard shopped for her flower shop on Newbury Street.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff/Globe Staff

A worker brought flowers into the complex.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

A buyer looked over flowers.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff