“Gotta find buckets. Need more buckets,” Terry Domingcil of Star Markets scrambled as she tried to find more storage for the arriving flowers Friday morning. “It’s (Mother’s Day) one of the busiest days in the year,” Domingcil explained while relocating
“Gotta find buckets. Need more buckets,” Terry Domingcil of Star Markets scrambled as she tried to find more storage for the arriving flowers Friday morning.
“It’s (Mother’s Day) one of the busiest days in the year,” Domingcil explained while relocating lei from half-empty buckets to more accomodating containers making room for the shipment that was piled high atop shopping wagons and produce carts.
“The only other day would be Valentine’s Day,” she said.
Star Market, like other grocery stores and mass volume stores, have maintained floral sections year-round, but have beefed up their stock in preparation for this weekend’s Mother’s Day celebration.
Lei that will help celebrate brunches and dinners filled sections of the chill box along with an assortment of cut flowers, bunches of specially-priced roses, and a variety of floral arrangements that ranged from simple bud vases to more elaborate displays.
Outside in the nursery section, special flowering plants lined the shelves.
Flowers have always been a fitting tribute to remember mothers, and floral operations around the island have been busy since the start of the week.
“You should’ve seaen the store on Monday,” an Orchid Alley spokesman said while setting up his display in preparation for the weekend orchid show and sale that takes place in the exhibition area of Kukui Grove.
“There were 30-40 boxes ready for pickup for FedEx delivery to mothers across the nation. We had more on Tuesday, but the big day was Monday in order for people to ensure delivery in time for Mother’s Day,” he said.
“Fely’s back at the shop taking care of business there,” he said, stepping back to view his almost-complete display.
A visitor leaned over one of the counters to ask about the “forever orchid,” a miniature orchid encased in a clear case that replicates a living plant.
Over at King Auto Center, receptionist Ora Deleonardo and sales professional Joy Kagawa donned special Mother’s Day lei that were presented them in honor of the special Sunday by a co-worker.
But, as everyone anticipated the weekend rush to remember mom, C.J. Nakashita, who was one of the vendors making a Friday morning delivery to Star Market, said, “This year, I’m not doing any retail! The phone has been ringing every five minutes from wire service people, but look at me. I have to make the deliveries, so I don’t have time to make arrangements.”
Nakashita, who has not been able to replenish her work force in time for the Mother’s Day rush, said she will just have to concentrate on wholesale deliveries to her accounts which include Star Markets, Safeway, Foodland, and Wal-Mart.
“Everyone has mothers that need to be remembered,” Domingcil said with a smile. “And, that’s good.”
