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A newsletter from harkins, the florist
Da Biggest Challenge Eva!
In the 30 year history of harkins, the florist, we have
never faced a challenge like Valentine's Day this year. In case it hasn't
dawned on you (it hit us like a ton of bricks months ago!) Valentine's falls
on Bacchus Sunday this year. And not just any Bacchus Sunday, but the
frenzied day Drew Brees rides down the Avenue.
Unless you just arrived in the Crescent City, you know
that by Friday before Mardi Gras the streets are so clogged that it's
virtually impossible to navigate. And the prospects of catching people at
home is quite problematic as well.
So what does a florist do? We promote the idea of
Valentine's Week! Send your flowers on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or
Thursday. If they are going to a workplace, there's lots of time for you to
look good and make your Valentine's colleagues think you are the greatest.
And, if to a home address, the flowers settle in for the height of Carnival
for all to enjoy.
We will be here on Friday and Saturday for pickups. And
there will be a few deliveries going out to areas we can reach. For
example, if you live on the other side of the Napoleon wall, forget it!
That's the plan, folks. We hope you will call us NOW.
Don't procrastinate! We hate turning down requests.
What Jawn Recommends:
For 30 years now Jawn has tried to overcome that age old
belief that a dozen red roses is the ultimate Valentine's gift. Wrong!
Wrong! Wrong! For a longer discussion of the subject go to Roses" on our
website,
www.harkinsneworleans.com. The short version is that there are never
enough red roses for 2/14, so the growers hold red product for weeks on cold
storage to make big sales. So it's a crap shoot. We have no way of knowing
what are good and what are bad roses.
IF you must have roses, go with anything other than red,
by the dozen or a colorful mixture. We have changed suppliers in the past
year, and we are delighted by the quality of the novelty roses we are
receiving. But wait, there's more! The reds will be going for $90 per
dozen, but because we are getting a better price direct shipping through
Miami, we can offer all the other colors at $75 per dozen.
Beyond the rose department, we always recommend orchid
plants as the absolute best buy there is. Two to three months enjoyment
beats two to three days by a long shot. The orchids are fabulous right now
at $75 or $100.
As for arrangements for Valentine's we are really big on
the new cube arrangements. Much smaller than traditional arrangements, they
are so, so lush. As the staff gets tired of hearing, "It's like eating the
heart out of a watermelon!" We dispense with greens, stems and filler and
present just quality flowers in a base of fluffy hydrangea in the square
containers. If you haven't sent one, give it a try. Remember: It's not
about size!
A Tribute to a Favorite Character:
There was real sadness around the shop recently when news
came of the untimely death of one of our favorite customers, David Boyd.
Our dealing with David goes back to the 1359 Magazine days, pre-1984. Over
the years he ordered for the now defunct St. Charles General, then Touro,
and lastly Kindred Hospital. He filled different roles over the years, but
he always ordered the flowers for the hospital from harkins. And he did
everything on a grand scale. And for funerals nothing would ever do but all
white flowers as the old time etiquette books demanded.
Taking an order from David was always a hoot. Even the
funeral orders were fun. He would begin, "Well it's the grim reaper once
again..."
Fun was a way of life for David. Early on in our
dealings with David, we experienced first hand what some would call
outrageous. As supervisor of the cafeteria at St. Charles General he
decided to get into Carnival spirit big time. The women on the serving line
became princesses with rhinestone tiaras. And in between serving food they
would throw uncooked pasta in carnival colors at the assembled crowd.
Carnival was absolutely David's favorite time of year.
Never to be forgotten was the year he reigned as King David over the Krewe
of Satyricon at the City Auditorium. The theme of the ball was flowers, and
David chose waterlillies for his costume. Huge, larger than life flowers in
three dimension extended down the more than ample train. Jawn and his wife
took a couple from Manhattan to the ball. Usually one cannot impress New
Yorkers, but these people were blown away.
True to his uniqueness, David was no doubt singular in
his approach to Carnival. Who else would be a member of both the Lords of
Leather AND Rex?
He will be missed.
Care and handling of....
As the town awaits the Big Game, we conclude another issue of our little newsletter. We hope this finds you busy getting ready for one, or all, of the festivities about to descend upon us in the next week, the Super Bowl (Go Saints!), Valentine's Day (Order early!), and last but never least Mardi Gras! (throw me something mister!)
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