BY SARA MARTINO
Two
Saints named Valentine, maybe even a third Valentine? We do know now
that everyone wants to honor St. Valentine on his special day. One of
the saints of the second century was Valentine of Roma. The other is
Valentine of Terni and third saint was martyred in Africa. History is
not clear on the reason that Saint Valentine (I, II or the III), is the
patron of love but the modern world celebrates his day, February 14,
with tributes to the loves of their lives.
"Valentine's Day is the busiest time of the year for a florist,"
said Sunshine Flowers & Gift's owner, Diane Fisher. "We start work
at 7 am open at 9 am and stay open to 8 pm on that day. Sometimes later
if the customers still come in or telephone for orders," she said.
At the present time, the shop has two full time designers, Linda and
Georgette. Diane's sister Pat waits on the customers and does computer
work for the business. Diane is in the design room, behind the cash
register when needed and busy with the arrangements. Jim, as the
fastest and best florist delivery man, delivers all over New Jersey and
surprises many recipients with the beautiful arrangements from the
shop.
"On Valentine's Day, we have an extra ten people and three trucks
out on the road," Diane said. 'Easter, Mother's Day, Christmas are some
of the other busy days, but on Valentine's Day, customers request
delivery specifically on the "Sweetheart's Day", not the day before or
the day after," she said. Other holidays are spread out over a few
days.
According to some rose experts, Red roses mean "romantic love" and
are the most popular and the traditional choice. White, yellow, pink,
peach, and hot pink roses and the reds are ordered from three different
wholesalers in the tri-state area and sometimes from Florida,
California and South America if needed. White roses signifying
"purity" lend themselves to displays of reverence and humility. The
meaning of yellow roses is joy and friendship. Peach roses can be used
to signify sympathy or gratitude. Pink and light pink roses show
feelings of admiration. When the flowers arrive at the shop, the flower
arrangers remove all the thorns and lower foliage, and then they
condition the flowers to keep them fresh and long lasting.
Sunshine adds different ferns, plumosa and baby breathe to the
custom-made arrangements .Balloons, teddy bears and other additions to
the bouquets are available. In addition to the beautiful flowers and
plants on the main floor, customers can step upstairs to an "upper
room", where Yankee Candles are on display as well as many other
delightful gift items for sale. Throughout the shop, exquisitely
designed Enesco Angels seem to float on the shelves. Bearington Bears
are ready and waiting for you to bring them home.
Diane and husband Bill grew up in Gloucester City attended
Gloucester Catholic High School and are the proud owners of Sunshine
for the last 18 years after buying the property at 2 N. Broadway from a
Mr. Funk, the previous owner. They have been married almost 41 years,
with two daughters and three grandchildren. Diane's parents, Don and
Anna Reddy were also born and raised in Gloucester City.
When the Fishers visited Alaska, Diane said they were pleasantly
surprised to see how big and gorgeous the flowers were that grew
there. "The colors were so vibrant because of the extra hours of
sunlight during the summer solstice," Diane said.
"We will positively take lots of photos of tropical flowers when we go
through the Panama Canal and while visiting the Caribbean in the
future," Diane said. Birds of Paradise, Anthurium, Ginger, Protea and
lovely Orchids are some of the pleasantry that the Fishers are hoping
to gaze upon and partake of their flowery aromas. They will come back
with additional, exciting ideas for their shop.
Diane will be too busy to traditionally celebrate Valentine's Day
with a romantic dinner. But, she certainly will be surrounded by more
flowers than the rest of us. "My present to my husband will be "a
loving pat on the back". We'll celebrate after all the orders have been
filled and the customers are satisfied .I still make sure that the
girls in our family are presented with their floral tokens of love,"
Diane said.
"Unless requested, we do not call ahead to tell recipient of the
delivery. We do not want to spoil the surprise," Diane said.
If the government comes through with rebate checks for the tax
payers, use some of the extra cash and spend it right in your
neighborhood. What could be nicer than "saying it with flowers"?
Call
456-0324 and order early for the best Valentine selections. Sunshine
Flowers & Gifts is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and
on Saturdays 9am to 2pm.
Related: Buy Local/UEZ
The Gloucester City Business Association meeting will
be held at O Hara's Pub, King Street at 5.30pm Tuesday April 22nd. The topic
this month will be the Gloucester City’s Urban Enterprize Zone (UEZ).
