Beckley, W.Va. (WOAY)- With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, beautiful flowers and bold colors are filling shop windows and street corners. That seasonal beauty is not only catching eyes but also filling homes as local flower shops see a surge in customers and deliveries.
For florists, Valentine’s Day is the busiest holiday of the year, and preparation starts weeks in advance.
Steven Webber, Owner, Dias Floral Shop, says getting ready for the holiday can take nearly a month. That includes ordering flowers, vases, containers, and supplies to make sure everything is available when customers need it.
“You have to plan ahead because something always runs out,” Webber said. “You have to make sure you have what you need.”
The week of Valentine’s Day is especially busy. Florists prepare vases with water, floral solution, and greenery, but roses cannot be arranged ahead of time.
“Roses have to be arranged the day they are ordered,” Webber explained. “When someone calls and wants a dozen roses for Valentine’s Day, they have to be made that day. You cannot just keep them arranged in a cooler.”
This local flower shop says they already have more than 50 orders and expect that number to grow throughout the week. Webber encourages customers to place their orders as early as possible.
“There are people who call at three o’clock and say their girlfriend, wife, or whoever is leaving work at four and ask if we can get flowers there,” Webber said. “Some days that works, but Valentine’s Day is not one of those days.”
The shop has been serving the Beckley community for more than 100 years and recently moved into a new location on Main Street.
Webber says the move has special meaning, as his grandmother once owned a restaurant in the same area. Being back on Main Street, he says, makes the shop feel like home.
Webber also recommends ordering directly from a local florist instead of using national wire services.
“When you order online through a large service, you are usually talking to a call center somewhere else,” Webber said. “They do not buy flowers, they do not run flower shops, and they do not understand cut flowers. It is always best to order locally.”
Most local florists offer online ordering through their own websites, making it easy for customers to support small businesses while ensuring timely delivery.
Dias Floral Shop is located at 208 Main St, Beckley, WV 25801. For orders or inquires you can call them at (304) 253-4561 or visit their website at diasfloral.com
