Meghan Trainor creates a Valentine’s Day floral arrangement of roses at Shaw’s in Saco on Tuesday morning. GRACE LAVERRIERE/Journal Tribune
BIDDEFORD — Valentine’s Day: a holiday dedicated to romance and showing appreciation for loved ones. As the day quickly approaches, local florists are preparing for one of the busiest Valentine’s Day in their history.
Thom’s Twin City Florist and Prestige House of Flowers, both of Biddeford already have many orders to fill for the holiday. Owners of both businesses said this year could be the busiest Valentine’s Day because of the closing of Majestic Flower Shop that was also located in Biddeford.
“We’re always fairly busy during this time of year,” said Prestige co-owner Dolly Morin. “We’ll feel a bigger effect this year since (Majestic) closed. We expect to be really, really busy.”
Thom’s Florist owner Thom Libby agreed.
“This year should be a very good Valentine’s Day,” said Libby. “People seem to know what they want.”
Mostly, people buying flowers for Valentine’s Day want bouquets of roses.
“Roses are definitely our best seller,” said Morin. “I already have 1,000 roses on order. Last year, we sold around 1,000. We’ll be well over that this year.”
Roses come in a variety of colors besides red as well.
“Roses are good, but expensive. There are many colors of roses but we charge the same price as red roses for all (the colors). They’re all the same to me,” Libby said.
Flowers, while beautiful, can be hard to keep for a long period of time.
“With all of our bouquets and arrangements, we give a preservative packet,” said Libby. “Those help to keep the flowers looking nice longer, but also water them everyday. If you’re looking for longevity with flowers, daisies and carnations are long-lasting.”
Valentine’s Day in the floral business can be uncertain. There are many orders, but Morin said it can be hard to know exactly how many people will come in the day-of.
“Flowers are perishable and we don’t have an endless supply,” said Morin. “We are very dependent on our suppliers.”
In recent years, Prestige’s suppliers have come from a longer distance, making it hard to know exactly how many flowers to order.
“We used to have a supplier in Portland so it was easier to drive up there if we ran out (of flowers),” said Morin. “Now, our supplier is in Fall River, Massachusetts, so you never know (what to order) because we don’t want to waste flowers.”
Both florists also deliver to the surrounding areas.
“We deliver to Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and Lyman,” said Libby. “We pre-make arrangements and do specially designed ones as well.”
Prestige opened its doors 46 years ago and has been family run since the beginning.
“My parents opened (here) in 1972 and I was 14 when I started helping to make arrangements,” said Morin. “My dad, at 81 years old, still comes to help out.”
Thom’s has been in Biddeford for around 25 years, but it first began across the bridge in Saco.
“I took a course when I was 17 years old, and that’s where I decided I wanted to (be a florist),” said Libby. “I started in Saco but later moved. The best thing I ever did was come to Biddeford.”
Besides flowers, Prestige also offers balloons, chocolates, and teddy bears. Morin said there are a lot of extra things to be ordered, such as ink for the typewriters and cards.
Both florists are ready for another busy Valentine’s Day.
“It’s a lot to think about, but it’s what I’ve done all my life,” said Morin. “I’ll retire doing this.”
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