By Geena Monahan
For the North Star Reporter
Nolan’s Flowers and Gifts has been a staple in North Attleborough for over 50 years, and current owner Donald McClain has a message for the town he’s spent his entire life in: Nolan’s isn’t going anywhere.
“Nolan’s Flowers is going to survive,” said McClain on Saturday. “We’re going to get through it. My goal is to be open this upcoming week.”
Nolan’s was seized by the Department of Revenue on Feb. 13, 2025, citing unpaid taxes. A court document in the equity action case of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Nolan’s Flowers Inc. shows a total of $26,435.94 that is owed to the state.
“It’s been difficult, as you can imagine. I only have myself to blame,” said McClain. “But, the timing couldn’t be any worse. I don’t know what they were thinking, there would have been a huge amount of money that week that would have come in that would have helped pay off those taxes. My employees didn’t get to work and I have to pay for all of the flowers that came in and credit back all of the people that didn’t receive their flowers. I understand that they have a job to do, but the timing was terrible.”
An affidavit by Meghan McGonigle, an employee of the Tax Examiner Seizure Unit, stated that notices were given to Nolan’s on Feb. 22, 2024 and Sept. 6, 2024 for the amount of back taxes and accrued penalties due.
According to this affidavit, a notice to seize was hand delivered to Nolan’s on Oct. 24, 2024, by the Commissioner of Revenue. McGonigle stated in the court documents she visited the premises on Dec. 30, 2024, as well.
According to McClain, the process was started the week before Feb. 14, 2025, and the seizure of Nolan’s on Valentine’s Day came as a total surprise. McClain expressed frustration at not being able to access any of the computers that are locked inside the building, but has been working to get funding together to pay the state back in full and re-open his flower shop.
“I do have money put aside and my goal for Monday (Feb. 24) is to see if I can get a payment to go through,” said McClain. “If I do get some funding from an outside company, I will pay it all off right away.”
Despite the financial toll and emotional strain this has taken on McClain and his business, he remains grateful for the North Attleborough community and the support he’s been shown.
“I’m very thankful and grateful to North Attleborough and all the years they’ve spent buying flowers from us,” McClain said. “I’ve gotten some beautiful messages from friends and longtime customers to me; it was very thoughtful and very emotional to hear from those people. I can’t thank everyone enough.”
McClain continued, “I’ve grown up in this town, lived in this town and had this business in this town for over 50 years. I’m looking forward to getting back to normal and moving forward.”
