Valentine’s flowers blossom as nor’easter fades away

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Many locals showed their Valentine’s Day love by treating their special someone to a special something like flowers.

Studio 539 Flowers in Providence said the phones have been ringing off the hook, people have been running in to pick up online orders, and last minute shoppers were making their way in on Wednesday.

“It’s been a fantastic day for Valentine’s Day,” said Grace Dugan, owner of Studio 539 Flowers. “Sun was shining, phones have been ringing, folks have been running in picking up orders that they preordered.”

“Also flowers are available for pickup today,” Dugan added.

Valentine’s Day is one of the shop’s busiest days of the year, and was it was fortunate to land on Wednesday rather than Tuesday with the recent snow storm.

Shoppers made their way in to Studio 539 Flowers to surprise their loved ones.

“There is a girl that I have liked for awhile, I have been crushing on her for bit,” said customer Darren Lopes Jr. “I have got to do something, it’s Valentine’s Day. Can’t let this day pass without showing some kind of affection.”

The shop was able to make some deliveries on Tuesday in the storm, but with the parking ban in the city of Providence it was difficult for shoppers to get their flowers.

For Valentine’s Day alone, Studio 539 had between 200 and 300 orders, with 100 of them being delivered.

Plenty of people also walked in to pick up an online order or shop around in person.

“When it comes to flowers I could have definitely done it a day or two ahead of time,” Lopes Jr. said. “I don’t know everything there is to know about flowers. I would rather it be in their hands and pick them up as fresh as possible.”

“Now I know I can order ahead of time,” Lopes Jr. added. “Maybe I’ll do that for 2025.”

According to the owner, the price of flowers has gone up, similar to many other things.

“Flowers have followed food,” Dugan said. “Everything has really gone up a lot. Stamps, post office, gas. It’s a beautiful luxury.”

For shoppers like Darren, love is priceless.

“I don’t know what price point it would have to be for me to not feel like that,” Lopes Jr. said. “As of right now, every single time that significant person’s eyes light up it’s totally worth it for me. I am really looking forward to that later on tonight.”