Tuesday, March 8, 2011

SPRING FLOWERS


Where have all the flowers gone? As we drove down East 28th Street on Sunday morning I was anticipating a fun morning shopping for a spring bouquet for my husband's 90 year old aunt. I looked for the telltale burst of color from buckets of fresh flowers that line the sidewalks and announce the wholesale floral district. Half way down the street and I still didn't see any flowers.  A new boutique hotel and a sign announcing the Grand Opening of a Ramen Noodle shop had replaced two of my favorite wholesale floral shops. My favorite wholesale floral shop Fischer and Page was closed, the victim of rising rents. I was incredibly sad. 
I found one of my old favorite shops still in business-the owner's were busy laying out wooden crates filled with tulips and spring crocus on the street corner. I entered the shop, warm and intoxicating with the scent of gardenias.  Rows of French tulips and roses in dozens of colors lined the walls. The owner filled a wooden crate with red French tulips, budding crocus and purple hyacinths, a gorgeous breath of spring. It was a lovely Sunday morning in the city. I hope the remaining shops survive.

9 comments:

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Gorgeous. I can just imagine how joyful it must be to work in a place like that. Why are rents rising in this economy? Perhaps they will just relocate?

Splendid Sass said...

Such beautiful flowers. Thank you for sharing.
It is so sad when local business close because of cost and big business. It is a great loss to the community.
Teresa
xoxo

I Dream Of said...

Oh no! How very sad, indeed. I'm glad you were able to find a place to choose a bouquet. We have one sweet little flower stand a few blocks away... It would be a terrible loss if she closed her doors!

quintessence said...

What beautiful shots!! I don't go to the flower district but it's always sad when a favorite vendor closes - I feel the same about any shop or restaurant really. But glad to hear you still have great choices for beautiful bouquets!!

The enchanted home said...

Wow such pretty shots..especially a sucker for tulips..one of my favorites. Sad isn't it how that industry like many others is vanishing....we have a friend who is in the high end retail end of florals and he is looking to go south to relocate (Georgia or Tennessee) because the prices are just so high and the overall cost of maintainging a business in the city has gotten prohibitive...its really sad. Glad you found wonderful flowers though...its a lot of fun!

Unknown said...

I have never been to the nyc flower market, but would so love to. Those tulips are amazing!!!

Hope the wholesalers can stay in business!!!!

Jane Kilpatrick Schott said...

The Flower market is shrinking all the time...what a shame. It was such a vibrant area...especially on snow days when you enter the shops and smell the lilies and
hyacinths. Sad.

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

Awwww, that is sad! I bet something will sprout up and bloom elsewhere before you know it. Love your walks! XO, Kelly

Punctuation Mark said...

flowers are definitely the best part of spring... can't wait to buy a nice bouquet!