Allendale, NJ Florists

Allendale Flower Shop News

Des Plaines florist remembered for his charitable works for children - Chicago Daily Herald

Recipients have included Little City Foundation and Kirk School, both in Palatine; Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge; Vista Health System and Kids Hope United in Waukegan; Allendale Association in Lake Villa; Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville; Nicasa in Round Lake; and food pantries at CEDA Northwest in Mount Prospect and at Wheeling Township in Arlington Heights.Harney got into the floral business during college. He worked his way through school by designing and delivering flowers for a Chicago florist.He opened his own shop in 1962; Harney named it Aberdeen's Wedding Flowers so it would be the first florist listed in the phone book.His love of flowers, especially international varieties, landed him jobs on high-profile weddings, including Michael Daley, son of Mayor Richard J. Daley, and Tricia Nixon's wedding in the White House.According to family members, Harney landed the wedding for Tiny Tim -- best known for his song "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" -- by ordering all the tulips available from the Holland Tulip Exchange before the wedding, which was set to air on NBC's "The Tonight Show."When NBC's florist couldn't get tulips, Harney's persistence convinced network officials to give him the job. He filled the studio with thousands of yellow and white tulips for the ceremony, and the ensuing publicity helped the business soar.But it was his final years of helping disadvantaged children that gave Harney the most pleasure.Harney talked about his annual mission to provide toys and joy to sick children in a 2012 Daily Herald interview."Their stories are unbelievable," Harney said. "I'll remember some of these children forever."Services have been held. http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160106/news/160109507/

Maggie's Flowers: 10-year-old's bouquet business brings Christmas to the needy - HollandSentinel.com

This Wednesday, Dec. 2, Maggie set up almost 80 presents at what has become an annual tradition for Maggie’s Flowers: A Christmas closet at Christian Fellowship Church in Allendale. Families served by the church’s food pantry came to pick out presents for their children — and then Maggie and her family wrapped the presents on the spot.She’s also planning on giving gifts to a whole wing of residents at an area nursing home, as well as to families from her school or people she finds through word-of-mouth.“The flowers are the vehicle to help her do what she loves — which is help others,” Jil Hartman said.Page 2 of 2 - The operation began five years ago, when Maggie was five years old. Seeking a way to raise money to hang glide while on a family vacation, Maggie started selling dollar bouquets of cosmos and zinnias from her garden. Much to everyone’s surprise, Maggie surpassed her $100 goal — she doubled it.In 2011 Maggie decided she wanted to keep selling flowers — but this time, she would use the money to help those in need.The thought of someone not having a Christmas present to open didn’t sit well with Maggie, Jil Hartman said.By 2013 Maggie had raised more than $1,000 for the second year in a row. In 2014 Maggie added a second flower cart, raising $2,500 and helping families, senior citizens at a nursing homes and young boys at a youth ranch in East Lansing.“You’re really, really happy that you have that much so you can help more people,” Maggie said.This year, Maggie had nearly raised her goal of $2,501 when the Zeeland Magical Christmas Parade committee made a major contribution to Maggie’s Flowers as their annual charity donation. The end result: Maggie raised $2,620.“It’s grown in incredible ways,” Maggie’s mom Jil Hartman said. “Five years of giving later … it’s surreal at points.”Maggie’s Flowers isn’t a registered nonprofit. Jil Hartman said she’s considered filing the paperwork for a 501(c)3, but the expense is too large at this point for the size of the operation. Every year, nearly all of the proceeds are spent on gifts for that Christmas, with the exception of $100 to $200 used by Maggie for summer camps.Maggie’s Flowers has become a part of who Maggie is and what the family does, Jil Hartman said.The Hartman family recently moved from their Hudsonville home and is in the process of renovating a farmhouse, also in the Zeeland school district. A large garden for Maggie was a must in their house search.Maggie has no plans of stopping the flower business.“I like seeing them open their presents, and to shop for them,” Maggie said.To other children out there inspired to help others, Maggie had the following advice:“If you have an idea, just do it.”Look for Maggie’s Flowers to return to 5519 36th St. in Hud... http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20151203/NEWS/151209791

Flower shop among many businesses fighting to blossom - The Riverdale Press

Dennis finds more customers want deliveries, rather than stopping by themselves to pick up orders. That has sent Columbia delivery drivers throughout New York City, as well as New Jersey, Westchester County and Connecticut. Those are some tall orders, especially since social distancing requirements limits the number of workers allowed in the small shop. “We cannot have many people working in the store, so it has been busier for us,” Dennis said. “Most of the time it has just been my sister, myself and one worker. I have even been taking deliveries out myself.”Sales have dipped, but so have supplies in some cases. In late March, as many were trying to adjust to the “new normal,”  Columbia struggled to stock its flower inventory, both in quantity and variety. For example, one thing missing from the store’s offerings has been tulips. Fortunately, most flowers purchased from South America are still available, Dennis said. Pricing hasn’t changed much, but delivery costs have increased since the shop is going without its regular delivery staff.Flowers also are a crucial part of large events like weddings and baby showers. Yet, all events are now canceled or postponed. It’s unclear when they’ll return, but at least one customer found a creative way to repurpose her ordered flowers into a kind gesture.The woman had put together a sizable order for a baby shower, but ended up hospitalized with the virus that causes COVID-19. Fortunately, she recovered, Dennis said. She was so thankful for her recovery, in fact, she sent the flowers intended for her shower instead to the nurses who took care of her.Unfortunately, many small businesses aren’t having the same luck as Columbia, as the coronavirus shutdown languishes on. While many storefronts are shut because they’re deemed “non-essential,” those that can stay open operate at a reduced capacity. The big question is whether many of the now-shuttered businesses will be able to reopen once New York City is allowed to open its doors again. Some businesses — even essential ones — are choosing to stay closed with hopes of being around long-term, said Christopher Rizzo, a board member of the Riverdale Main Streets Association.“Some of these small businesses have such small profit margins to begin with,” Rizzo said. “So staying open when your revenues are cut in half does not make sense for a lot of businesses. They are choosing to stay closed so that they can stay open in the future.” Dennis says she’s thankful Columbia Florist can stay open in some capacity. She receives many calls from customers thanking her for the flower deliveries, especially to funerals, where a lot of people aren’t present. Says Dennis: “Having a flower there makes a big difference.” ... https://riverdalepress.com/stories/flower-shop-among-many-businesses-fighting-to-blossom,71820

NJ Florist Gets Back to Business with Flower Delivery and Classes as New Jersey Reopens. - TAPinto.net

TAPintoTV’s original series, HomeGrown, spoke with Anna Coy, Florist and Owner of Blooms in Hand, about life during the COVID-19 lockdown and how her business has rebounded now that New Jersey has started reopening.Blooms in Hand is a full-service floral studio in Verona. While they are primarily a subscription service, delivering bouquets weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, they also host classes, workshops and service special events and weddings. “I’ve always had an interest in gardening and floral work,” said Coy, who worked with a florist in Philadelphia for over a decade learning the business, before she moved to New Jersey and starting her own business here. Sign Up for Passaic Valley NewsletterOur newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust.You have successfully signed up for the TAPinto Passaic Valley Newsletter.The COVID-19 outbreak and the closures it brought were difficult times. “I had a breakdown. I definitely did some sobbing,” Coy said. Her calendar for the spring had been loaded with events. “To have all of that gone in an instant was really kind of hard.” Once New Jersey began its Restart and Recovery Program, Coy waited until it was safe and deliveries c... https://www.tapinto.net/towns/passaic-valley/categories/news/articles/nj-florist-gets-back-to-business-with-flower-delivery-and-classes-as-new-jersey-reopens-2d1f0de0-5499-44cd-be3a-5c2e4914ac24

Black-Owned Philly-Area Wedding Planners, Florists and Decor Pros to Know - Philadelphia magazine

Black Lives Matter protest? Carla Friday, the founder of Details Made Simple, is working with the couple on moving their big celebration to 2021. While the studio is based in Westfield, New Jersey, Philly is a key market for Friday and her team. She has four local coordinators serving the city and surrounding areas. (So there is not typically an extra charge for a wedding around here.) Details Made Simple does exactly that: The firm offers only day-of coordination (not full planning). It works with couples planning the wedding on their own and who are looking for help pulling off the Big Day. “It’s all we do; it’s our thing,” she quips. Packages include the V.I.B. (Very Important Bride), Peace of Mind, Destination Wedding, and Venue Scouting & Procurement. (There are Little Extras, like rehearsal practice, DIY project assistance or tuxedo return, offered a la carte, too.)Elegant Events Planning & Design Owner and lead event planner Donielle Warren has a story that sounds like a wedding dream come true: She started as an intern with Elegant Events’s former owner. She later purchased the firm and has been running the show ever since. Located in Northeast Philly and Newark, Delaware, the brand’s reach extends through the region (plus far-off destinations). The packages are broken down from Silver (day of) to Platinum (full service); the team also can outfit your soiree with floral design, invitations and related paper goods. Interested? All you have to do is text via the website.Enchanted Allure Events The East Brunswick-based boutique wedding planning and design firm focuses on creating a stress-free experience for couples throughout the Philly region and New Jersey (as well as New York). Founder and principal planner Melissa Brooks and her team are driven by creative and modern designs, but ultimately dream up a day (and related celebrations) that is unique to you and your love. Custom packages range from à la carte options to full-service planning and design; engagements, day-after brunches and unions of all sizes (elopements, micro-weddings or large bashes) are among the events they skillfully guide. Even virtual consultations via Zoom or teleconference are on offer. Event Loft/... https://www.phillymag.com/philadelphia-wedding/2020/06/09/black-owned-philly-area-wedding-vendors/

Sales aren’t blooming: Florists adjust during pandemic - Midland Daily News

Ms. Bobola said she had to shut down the florist because wholesalers where Bobola Farms receives flowers from in New Jersey and Pennsylvania were closed. Bobola Farms will begin selling some produce in the upcoming weeks; first up are strawberries, which have started to bloom. Bobola Farms has been open since the late 1990s and Ms. Bobola said she never experienced anything like this. She hopes Mother’s Day can help bring back some normalcy but reminded that everything is limited. “It’s the longest we’ve ever been closed,” Ms. Bobola said. “You’ve got to get started somewhere, so we’re just going to do the best we can. I hope people will be patient. We’ll do everything we can to be as close to normal but there will be substitutions. I hope people understand this isn’t easy but we’ll work with them.” Florists are following all protocols recommend by the Centers for Disease Control to help limit the spread of COVID-19. This includes wiping down all vases, wearing gloves while handling flowers and disinfecting the store every night. It also includes contact-free delivery, where the driver will call the customer when the flowers are on the steps of their home. Mrs. Fries said Jen-Mor had to lay off part of its staff when the pandemic first began. She added it has been able to slowly bring back some of the staff. The loss of workers has made the busy weeks even more stressful. “It’s been exhausting,” Mrs. Fries said. “The few of us that are here are doing the work of more people. There’s only so much we can do with this staff so our inventory is smaller than usual.”... https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Sales-aren-t-blooming-Florists-adjust-during-15258683.php