Winter blast delays flowers before Valentine’s Day

Nicole Brazier
@NicoleBrazierTV
nbrazier@abc6.com

EAST PROVIDENCE – The back cooler at Gilmore’s flowers in east providence is typically so full before the big Valentine’s Day holiday that you can’t even step inside.

But inches and inches of snow just days before the rush is holding deliveries back.

“Flowers essentially start generally in South America. That’s where they’re grown. Then they fly to Miami, and then they need to be flown north. So when snowstorms and things like this happen the flow is interrupted.  So we are currently waiting on several trucks, many, many shipments of flowers,” said Donna Mulhearn, Manager at Gilmore’s.

In addition, local poorly plowed roads and parking bans are making the shop reevaluate delivery methods for drivers come Saturday.

“We’re at the point now we’re thinking maybe runners will need to go with them this weekend, and have one guy pull over and the other person run to the door,” she said.

But they’ll have to run fast. Experts say just minutes exposed to temperatures below zero… or even up to the teens… could freeze your flowers before your loved ones even receive them.

Despite the winter weather the shop is confident that the flowers will make it in on time so if you haven’t ordered yet, don’t worry! You still have a chance.
(c) WLNE-TV 2015