As Valentine's Day approaches, coronavirus numbers fluctuate in the North Georgia area. However, the pandemic won't stop people from celebrating their love with flowers.
Corinila Hutson, owner of Alene's Flower Cottage on Morningside Drive in Gainesville, said Valentine's Day is one of their busiest seasons, so much so they alter their hours the week ahead of the holiday.
"I feel like it's going to be a little bit of a slim year, number one for it being on a Sunday, and then COVID-19," said Hutson. "I just think people are not going to think about flowers as much to send, and I hope I'm wrong."
"The orders haven't started coming in as early," said Sandra Elrod, a part-time member of the team. "But a lot of times people wait til the last minute."
Each Valentine's Day, Elrod said extra staff is working in the shopping, helping with everything from deliveries, arranging, and just answering the phone.
Their delivery method has changed some because of the virus, as well as this year's holiday being on a Sunday. For starters, Hutson said they're no longer requiring a signature upon delivery.
"Most of the time when we deliver to a home or a residence, I'll just see how they approach us," Hutson said. "If they want to come to the door and receive it from us, that's fine, and we've had many people say, 'Will you set it down,' talking to us through the door."
Hutson said their hospital deliveries are different too, as they now drop off arrangements at a flower table. At funeral homes, they deliver directly to the flower room.
Hutson urged those wanting to send flowers this Valentine's Day to order early, and you don't have to get the traditional dozen roses.
"Ask us what is pretty," said Hutson. "That's always something nice to do and the market fluctuates so much, and even with a holiday coming up, it still fluctuates. So just ask what's pretty in our cooler."
Hutson's current favorite pairing include the Stargazer lily and the classic red rose together, and combining a yellow rose with an iris.
Hutson has been in the floral business since 1977. She said things have changed since she began delivering flowers to now, but more so in the past 10 years.
"People have gone to so much online stuff and online buying," she said. "Flowers to me are a little bit frightening to buy online. I still want to see mine when I go to the supplier... touch it, and feel it."
Those living farther away are more likely to submit an online order, Hutson said, but she says there's nothing like seeing the flowers first.
