TOPEKA (KSNT) – Topeka shop owners are trying to keep costs down for locals looking for flowers for Mother’s Day this weekend.
Consumers across the nation are seeing a general rise in costs at grocery stores and gas stations this spring. Analysts attribute the uptick in costs to the ongoing economic uncertainty coming from continuing hostilities in Iran that are impacting global shipping.
Local shop owners in the Capital City said they are trying to keep costs down for customers on items like flowers ahead of Mother’s Day. They said the goal is to keep things affordable for people who are trying to celebrate their moms this weekend on Sunday, May 10.
“It’s a very important time of the year, and it’s very important that moms get flowers because it’s just always been a tradition and we want to carry that on,” said Blooms on Boswell owner Lori McNorton.
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“When we send flowers, we want them to enjoy them and remember, you know, it kind of reminds us that nothing is permanent,” said Porterfield’s Flowers and Gifts design director Patrick Wages. “And so we really want to relish and cherish those flowers when we get them, just like our loved ones.”
Wages said Porterfield’s is buying items in bulk now to compensate for higher transportation costs and to reduce the number of deliveries they receive. However, customers visiting the shop can expect to see items for sale at slightly increased prices.
“Some of our product prices have gone up a little bit, but we’ve sort of had to kind of shift and pivot a little bit and just we start to be a little bit smarter about our delivery processes and the flowers that we pick and choose,” Wages said. “Obviously, we want to pick the most readily available flowers that are on the market that gives us the most bang for our buck. Everybody’s buying flowers right now, so the supply and demand, it creates, you know, increases the prices of the flowers.”
McNorton said she is also taking action at Blooms on Boswell amid the general rise in costs this spring. To offset their higher spending, she said they have opted to make flower bouquets smaller and use more cost-effective materials.
“You know, maybe a couple less blossoms in their bouquet or they may choose a different kind of container that’s maybe not as expensive, but we try to provide a beautiful bouquet, still able to deliver it to the mothers,” McNorton said.
While both shops are using different tactics to balance out prices, the sentiment appears to be the same for staff at both locations. They said they hope to offer customers the opportunity to buy flowers for the upcoming holiday at affordable prices so local moms can feel celebrated while also not hurting customers’ wallets too much.
You can find Porterfield’s Flowers and Gifts at 3101 SW Huntoon St. in Topeka and can call it at 785-354-1707. Bloom’s on Boswell is at 1300 SW Boswell Ave. in Topeka and its phone number is 785-272-2749.
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