A newsletter by harkins, the florist

Funeral Story:  For true!

Back when Jawn was a kid (a long time ago!), funeral work was about 90% of what florists did.  Times have changed, and the percentage is more like 10% today.  Here’s a true story from the early 1980s.

In a state north of us that won’t be named, some creative (?) florist came up with an idea that truly pushed the limits.  It began with an ordinary standing spray (likely carnations with baby’s breath.  In the middle where an outrageous bow was the focal point was attached a kid’s plastic telephone with the receiver dangling.  Emblazoned in gold letters, a ribbon hung down with the message, “JESUS HAS CALLED!”

Another variation, it seems, was the use of a “While You Were Out” pad to achieve a somewhat more tasteful delivery of the message.  Really?

Jawn had no idea of ever destroying his reputation by producing one of these travesties.  One day he made a fatal mistake, however.  Those of you who have been reading these historic bits each month will remember Mark Ant’ny and his sidekick June from Newsletter 6 in 2010 (see website archives).

So Mark Ant’ny comes to the shop one day saying his girlfriend’s grandmother had died, and he would want to send flowers.  Jawn laughingly said, “You’ll probably want to send the telephone piece!”  End of discussion.

Several days later the daughter of the deceased called to say that Mama’s casket is pink, so the family would like a pink Princess phone in Mark Ant’ny’s floral tribute.

How to get out of this?  There wasn’t a graceful way, so the piece was made and delivered.  To save face with those who might be offended, the card was completely blank except for the signature, the “harkins, the florist” at the bottom having been removed.

Funeral in China!

Here’s another interesting funeral order from just last week.  Sieg Christensen, a longtime customer who calls from Philadelphia whenever he needs flowers, presented a real challenge.  The grandmother of a close friend and colleague of his had died in China, and he wanted to send a floral tribute.  Never having dealt with China, Jawn was skeptical that this could be done, but went to work on it with the international office in California.

Great news came a few days later, when Sieg happily reported that the order was a great success.  In fact, the friend sent a picture of the wreath that follows this article.  The amazing thing is the amount of product used in a piece selling for $100 U.S., including delivery.  The same piece created here would probably sell for about $500.  This gives one a good idea of the different standards of living between the U.S. and China. An indication of how China is moving forward, flowers can now be ordered for 90% of the country.

Care and Handling of..........

Dahlias

#7-2010    #8-2010

#9-2010    #11-2010

#12-2010    #1-2011

#2-2011    #3-2011

#4-2011    #5-2011

#6-2011    #7-2011

Copyright © 2012 Harkins Florist                                                                                                                                                                                               

  03/28/2012