Carlsbad Flower Shop News
Coronavirus hit California's cut-flower industry at the worst time - Los Angeles Times
Monday, April 27, 2020Among the victims are the ranunculus that carpet the Flower Fields near the San Diego Freeway in Carlsbad — a working farm that also is an important agritourism destination. It closed on March 17, two weeks into its season. Advertisement “We are absolutely dependent on the partnership between both tourists and cut flowers in order to make that work,” Mellano said of the Carlsbad farm. “And this year, all of our orders for the ranunculus got canceled by the supermarkets. And the tourism was shut down due to social distancing requirements.”Only a small portion of the fields will survive in hopes that social distancing rules will relax before summer. Then, people might again be able... https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-04-04/coronavirus-californias-cut-flower-industry
Flowers of Point Loma still blooms after 35 years - The full-service florist shop now owned by Penn Bryan has lasted 35 years in Point Loma by customizing its business to meet its customers' needs. “We were looking to find a flower stand to start ... - San Diego Community Newspaper Group
Sunday, February 09, 2020The florist can also deliver quality flowers nationwide through a trusted florist network.Bryan goes to the flower market in Carlsbad two or three times a week to refill her inventory. “They have wholesale up there,” she said.In-between terms at college, Erica Bryan, discussing what it’s like to grow up in a florist shop said, “You learn how to be a people person very quickly. It teaches you to be a little more extroverted than normal. You get to know the community really quickly. Everyone notices you and it’s nice.”What does Erica like most about the flower shop?“Working with my mom, getting to see her do her work and helping her with it,” she said.Flowers of Point LomaWhere: 2170 Chatsworth Blvd.Info: flowersofpointloma.biz, 619-223-3161. http://www.sdnews.com/view/full_story/27692651/article-Flowers-of-Point-Loma-still-blooms-after-35-years--?instance=business
Flowers of Point Loma still blooms after 35 years - The full-service florist shop now owned by Penn Bryan has lasted 35 years in Point Loma by customizing its business to meet its customers' needs. “We were looking to find a flower stand to start ... - San Diego Community News
Saturday, January 18, 2020The florist can also deliver quality flowers nationwide through a trusted florist network.Bryan goes to the flower market in Carlsbad two or three times a week to refill her inventory. “They have wholesale up there,” she said.In-between terms at college, Erica Bryan, discussing what it’s like to grow up in a florist shop said, “You learn how to be a people person very quickly. It teaches you to be a little more extroverted than normal. You get to know the community really quickly. Everyone notices you and it’s nice.”What does Erica like most about the flower shop?“Working with my mom, getting to see her do her work and helping her with it,” she said.Flowers of Point LomaWhere: 2170 Chatsworth Blvd.Info: flowersofpointloma.biz, 619-223-3161. http://www.sdnews.com/view/full_story/27692651/article-Flowers-of-Point-Loma-still-blooms-after-35-years--?instance=pb
Marigold harvest a gift to workers who have kept Mellano blooming for 50 years - The San Diego Union-Tribune
Tuesday, November 19, 2019Today, Mellano & Co. farms more than 40 varieties of cut flower products, particularly the fresh foliage and greenery that fills out most traditional floral bouquets. With locations in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Orange County and Las Vegas, it’s the largest specialty cut-flower grower in the nation, producing 6 million flower stems each year. In partnership with the Ecke family and Armstrong Nursery, Mellano & Co. also oversees the 40-acre growing and wholesale operations for The Flower Fields in Carlsbad.Michelle Castellano Keeler, the daughter of Battista Castellano, also grew up on the farm and today is the company’s corporate vice president. She and her cousin, Mike M., said the company has always had a heart for immigrant workers because of their family’s roots in Italy.During World War II when Japanese farmers in California were sent to internment camps, Giovanni Mellano purchased some of their L.A. farm properties and equipment for $1 and then stored everything for the internees until they returned after the war.At the Oceanside farm, Mellano & Co. offers onsite housing for its workers, some of whom have lived on the property for two generations. From 40 to 50 workers live there now, most of them were born in Mexican as well as a few Guatemalans and a family of Congolese refugees. Keeler said the idea for the worker housing came from her dad.“He was an immigrant himself and when we first moved here, he felt the way the Hispanic workers were treated was horrible so he built this area on our farm where they could live and be safe,” she said. Advertisement Taking care of workers is also smart business. Mellano said that 10 years ago, 50 people would show up to apply for five open jobs. Now, with the local unemployment rate at a historic low, just one person will show up to apply for five open jobs, and they may not even have the proper legal documentation to qualify. Giovanni and Maria Mellano with their sons Johnny, second from left, and Mike Sr. at their family flower farm in Artesia, Ca., in the 1930s. Their Mellano & Co. now farms more than 340 acres of flowers in Oceanside and Carlsbad.(Courtesy of Mellano & Co.) Beyond the labor shortage, growing flowers is an increasingly challenging business. The cost of water, electricity and equipment keeps rising along with competition from South American growers, who have significantly lower production costs.To adapt over the years, the company shifted its growing focus away from high labor-intensive crops like gladiolus and chrysanthemums to lower labor-intensive crops like myrtle, ruscus and other greenery. The company also expanded beyond the cut-flower trade into growing hemp, succulents and potted poinsettias and hydrangeas.The company has also invested in state-of-the-art equipment, like sensors that measure the amount of water in the soil to... https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/story/2019-10-27/marigold-harvest-a-gift-to-workers-who-have-kept-mellano-blooming-for-50-years
The 7 Best Destinations To See Flowers Around The World, 2019 - CEOWORLD magazine
Tuesday, September 24, 2019Some of these regions boast of rare species of flowers which are indigenous to only that region. We bring you the list of the world’s 7 best destinations to see flowers:Carlsbad- California, USA: For nearly sixty years, Carlsbad is one of the hottest tulip destinations in the world. The Flower Fields here comprises of The Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers which bloom every year from March through early May spanning over 55 acres of land. Carlsbad is a great place to enjoy an afternoon’s day out in the presence of beautiful flowers all around. https://ceoworld.biz/2019/09/21/the-7-best-destinations-to-see-flowers-around-the-world-2019/
9-year-old boy earns praise for helping struggling flower vendor: ‘You are one awesome kid!’ - Yahoo Lifestyle
Wednesday, December 02, 2020A 9-year-old boy from California has been lauded for going above and beyond for a flower vendor who had appeared to be struggling on the job, KTLA reports.Jeremiah Reyes was on his way to basketball practice with his sister Stephanie when the two came across 57-year-old Israel Parra, who was selling flowers on the side of the road in Santa Ana. Reyes, a fifth grader, told the station that was when he noticed that Parra seemed to be having trouble in the heat with only one arm.“I felt really sad,” he said. “I really wanted to help him out.”When the boy later learned that Parra, who doesn’t have health insurance, was also struggling financially, he decided to take matters into his own hands and created a GoFundMe with a goal of raising $20,000.“It just stayed in my heart and it just made me sad, kept on thinking about it and I really wanted to help him out,” Reyes explained.The generous act caught Parra, who picks up bouquets six days a week from Lupita’s Flowers and tries to sell them, off guard. According t... https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/9-old-boy-earns-praise-180731402.html
Business is 'blooming' at Park Avenue Florist & Gift Shop - Clay Today Online
Wednesday, December 02, 2020FTD designs and Teleflora designs. They deliver all over the country as well as internationally. “We deliver worldwide – we FTD and Teleflora. We have wire services. So if it’s going to California, you place your order today, we can have it out there tomorrow,” McCleod said.“I’ve just started coming here,” said Orange Park’s Marlene Revella. “My parents and most of my family live up in Ohio, and obviously I won’t be going home for the holidays this year. So I decided to maybe send them a plant. But I came in and saw the different flower arrangements and plants, and I ended up being here for over an hour. The salespeople were so helpful and patient with me.“I ended up deciding to send a plant and flowers. I think it’s something I’ll probably do again in the future. It’s not too expensive, and it’s a pretty timely gift to let someone know you’re thinking of them.”McCleod says that the florist is doing mostly contactless deliveries and pickups on orders, as people are trying to maintain suggested health and safety protocols.“Usually within 24 hours,” said McCleod when asked about the turnaround time of delivery and pickup orders. “That way, if they pick out something special, we can order it in. We have a wide variety on hand, so we can usually fill it [the order].” McCleod hasn’t seen any particular demographic doing most of the buying.According to her, it’s across the board. Although, she says she’s seen more men than usual – doghouse buys, she calls them – assuming that quarantine has caused them to irritate the women in their lives.“We’re doing more centerpieces right now, especially for Thanksgiving,” said McCleod. “Scented with candles, something festive for their holiday table. Christmas is usually about the same thing. We have ornaments in the specialty type containers as well.” ... https://www.claytodayonline.com/stories/business-is-blooming-at-park-avenue-florist-gift-shop,25109
ROUNDUP: JP Parker Flowers vacates Indy store, adds retail truck - Indianapolis Business Journal
Wednesday, October 28, 2020Mark Weghorst and Nick Smith. Weghorst opened the area’s first Slapfish location in July 2019, inside the Broccoli Bill’s grocery store that his father, Bill Weghorst, owns in Noblesville.California-based Slapfish offers a mostly seafood-focused menu, with an emphasis on sustainably sourced fish. Menu items include fish tacos, burritos, grilled fish bowls and other items, including a children’s menu. The chain is based in the Los Angeles suburb of Fountain Valley and has about 20 locations in several U.S. states, plus England.— Fast-casual Indian restaurant Tandoor & Tikka has opened its third Indianapolis store, and its fourth overall, at 5650 W. 86th St. The restaurant’s grand opening was June 26.It opened in Indianapolis in June 2018 at 805 W. 10th St. near IUPUI, followed by a Castleton location in 2019. Tandoor & Tikka also has a location in Bloomington.— The culinary establishment Studio C, 1051 E. 54th St., has discontinued its coffee service though it is continuing with its other lines of business. Local chef Greg Hardesty opened Studio C in 2019 as a place for a variety of food-oriented offerings based on market demand. The business’ offerings include carry-out meals, private dining and a wine club.— Peppy Grill opened June 19 at 910 W. 10th St. in The Avenue, a mixed-use development near the IUPUI campus. The restaurant is in the spot formerly occupied by Madd Greeks Mediterranean Grille, which closed in March after 3-1/2 years.The new Peppy Grill is associated with the Peppy Grill at 1004 Virginia Ave. in Fountain Square—it is not affiliated with Burt’s Peppy Grill at 3401 E. 10th St.— The Fudge Kettle plans to open its first brick-and-mortar retail space... https://www.ibj.com/blogs/property-lines/roundup-jp-parker-flowers-vacates-indy-store-adds-retail-truck
Small but mighty, a Washington florist battles back in the pandemic - Reuters
Monday, August 24, 2020I really think they did a good job by not reopening too soon, because look at all the places that are having to close back down, like California, Texas,” Banks said. As the White House and Congress debate the next coronavirus relief bill, Banks said she would like more business funding and clarity on Paycheck Protection Program loans. The shop received a $75,000 loan under the program, allowing it to rehire furloughed staff. “They say it’s forgivable, but they haven’t come out with any clear-cut rules on how to make it forgivable,” Banks said. “I am on pins and needles.” Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Dan Burns and Richard ChangOur Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-smallbusiness/small-but-mighty-a-washington-florist-battles-back-in-the-pandemic-idUSKCN2511D6