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Florists Flourish On Valentine’s Day
posted (February 12, 2015)
Valentine's Day is coming up - for lovers it's cause for excitement and love-struck butterflies, while the single and un-attached may find themselves feeling the other kind of butterflies, the kind that comes with anxious worry…that the phone just won't ring, and that bouquet of roses will never arrive.

But while the lovers and the lonely have the next 48 hours to count their blessings or curse their bad luck, florists are counting their money, and the only thing they are cursing is the calendar: which only has one valentine day per year.

Today we visited two flower shops where the owners were busier than cupid in a crowded restaurant on Valentine's night. Courtney Weatherbune reports:

Courtney Weatherbune reporting
These white orchids, freshly cut gingers and flowers are transformed into these lovely valentines flower arrangements and orders for these arrangements have been pouring in from last month.

Soli Arguelles, Florasol Belize
"Valentine's started for me about a month ago. We have people that will not be here that called, that made sure everything is in place and I have what I called my "premier" people that called me - I have them on my computer and they say you send the flowers, don't worry about where I am, I will pay you later. We don't wait for Saturday. Saturday, I am only getting the walk-ins. I have all the basis covered. Today I am covered, tomorrow we have a lot of orders, but those were like I said pre-destined - they have been ordered from a long time. Mostly the Belizean Americans, they call in for their moms, for their girls in school and everything else."

But it's more than just purchasing flowers or roses. According to Soli, it's the warmth and comfort that they offer.

Soli Arguelles, Florasol Belize
"We don't sell flowers, we sell service. For example, I had a prime minister's somebody secretary, come to Belize, fell and broke her ankle at Radisson or some place, I don't remember and he called, he made his personal secretary call to make sure she had flowers in her room. That's how important it's gotten for them. This is like he is calling me at 8 o' clock their time in the night to make sure I had it delivered for her early morning. So, it's the service and that now includes everything - pretty ceramic pots, candy, stuff animals, wine, fruit baskets - they bring their jewelry, their fancy perfumes, they bring special things that they want go into the surprise of having roses and a little thing wrapped in it."

At Selflorals, you can also get that special valentine's surprise for your loved one wrapped in the arrangements. And they are in high demand.

Selbert Butler, Florist
"Tomorrow we will really have a crowd because tomorrow is actually the Friday before valentines and so tomorrow will be the day. And so, I am in the preparation mode right now, getting everything made and get it ready for tomorrow. People are walking in with their orders and some are calling in."

While these arrangements look complex, they are quite easy and quick to make.

Claudia Zetina, Master Florist
"Like an arrangement like this I takes about 15 minutes to make, it doesn't take too much time. Something like this one, it takes a little more time like about 25 minutes. Whoever wants an arrangement like this…hmmm just has to wait about 25 minutes and we will have it ready."

Selbert Butler, Florist
"You don't have to say anything. Just the flowers will do all the talking. It is especially special for us, especially when you go to someone and deliver the flowers because some people will cry, some people will smile, some people will look sad, not believing - that is their reaction. So, you find different type of reaction when people get flowers and that is the joy that you get."

Florasol has been established for about 40 years while Selflorals has been operating for 2 years.

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