Local florists see surge in business ahead of Mother’s Day
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — It’s expected to be one of the busiest weekends of the year for flower shops, and local florists are feeling the rush.
Florists across the Central Coast are loading up delivery vans, prepping bouquets, and working around the clock as last-minute orders pour in for Mother’s Day.
One local floral shop told KION they begin prepping several months in advance for Mother’s Day weekend.
For many flower shops, including Swenson and Silacci Flowers, Mother’s Day is the biggest holiday of the year.
Preparations for the rush begin as early as spring, with planning starting months in advance.
“Several months ago, the first stages of planning,” Mark Silacci said.
While delivery drivers were out dropping off orders, many customers stopped by to pick up their Mother’s Day flowers in person.
“My family, we all kind of. Oh, me, my brother and my dad, we all collectively give something to my mom. So usually it's flowers. Sometimes it's like a little jewelry or some sort of, like, little gifts,” Antonio Montes said.
During the Mother's Day rush, one employee says they are up as early as 5 a.m. preparing.
“It's a lot of stuff like you have to you have to mentally prepare to get ready and physically, I mean, we have to go get the shelves and everything. We have to start prepping. It's we start preparing early,” Samuel Madrid said.
Delivery drivers are making up to three or four trips a day, and the shop has brought in 15 to 20 extra staff to handle the demand.
“It's Saturday. So, of course, it's a little crazy. People coming in and, getting our deliveries are coming today and tomorrow,” Mark Silacci said.A
Saturday, 15 vehicles are on the road, delivering flowers all around the Central Coast.
“The volume is the biggest difference. Our biggest concerns on this is, of course, getting all the items made,” Mark Silacci said.
This year, florists are also seeing more demand for creative bouquets.
“Most people are coming in and buying mixed arrangements. So, we're featuring a lot of, kind of unique products like kale and different flowers,” Mark Silacci said.
Swenson and Silacci Flowers say they’re expecting around 500 deliveries Saturday alone.
