BLOOMS FOR MOM
Kathy Molenaar of Victoria’s Flowers & Gift Baskets in Windsor prepares two Mother’s Day arrangements on Friday. Some businesses have seen online sales explode after COVID-19 restrictions forced many stores to close to walk-in customers.
The annual rush of gift buying for Mother’s Day has arrived a little differently this year for at least one local shop.
Kathy Molenaar, owner of Victoria’s Flowers and Gift Baskets, said her staff has been working almost around the clock to fill the influx of orders that have mainly arrived via the internet.
“I actually just had to stop my internet orders because I am, I would say ... more than quadruple orders on my internet,” Molenaar said Friday. “And it’s not even month end and I’m already quadruple my orders.”
Even last month, internet orders were four times normal, she said. “So we are running quite heavy.”
Online sales exploded due to the COVID -19 pandemic, which led to many stores being closed to walkin business.
Despite not being able to visit their mothers in person, Molenaar said people still want ensure their mom receives a special gift for Mother’s Day.
“I’ve already sold out on all my outdoor (material),” said Molenaar, who has owned the 38-yearold business for 10 years.
“And so now it’s a lot of flowers, a lot of gift baskets.
“A lot of the card messages are reading, ‘Wish we could be with you,’ ‘We miss you.’ A lot of that going on on the enclosure cards.”
Customers are not allowed inside the Erie Street East store so curbside pickup or porch delivery is being offered to ensure social distancing and safety precautions are met.
“The next two days are very heavy days. We’re going to have tables in the front of the store and the back of the store for all curbside pickups.”