KAPAA — Carrie Daniels of Orchid Alley said she’s resigned to working late Saturday night, the Kapaa Business Association’s First Saturday event, and the eve of Mother’s Day. “I guess we’ll be here until at least 9 p.m., Saturday,” Daniels
KAPAA — Carrie Daniels of Orchid Alley said she’s resigned to working late Saturday night, the Kapaa Business Association’s First Saturday event, and the eve of Mother’s Day.
“I guess we’ll be here until at least 9 p.m., Saturday,” Daniels said. “And, believe it or not, we are also busy Monday, the day after Mother’s Day.”
The rush has already hit the tiny orchid shop specializing in fresh, live flowering orchids and select bromeliads as neatly packed boxes were stacked in a corner awaiting pickup by the United Parcel Service carrier.
“This is one of the busiest times of the year,” said Fely Sams, who with husband Neill, owns Orchid Alley. “Mother’s Day is always so busy. We started packing Sunday, and had it under control. We didn’t finish, but overnight, we had more Internet orders and now we’re just packing, packing, packing.”
Sams said they have a deadline of Tuesday for shipping to the East Coast to ensure delivery by Mother’s Day. Orders to the West Coast have an extra day, needing to be shipped out by Wednesday afternoon.
“We can try and push it,” Fely said. “In a perfect world, it might work, but this is a busy time for the carriers as well and if a glitch happens somewhere, it just won’t make it in time.”
Once the shipping is done, Fely said Orchid Alley switches to delivery mode, or taking care of local Mother’s Day needs.
As if on cue, the phone rings, and Fely fields the phone order while Daniels is off trying to figure out the best sized carton to accommodate the multiple plant order for shipment.
“This weekend is also the First Saturday,” Daniels said. “And with Mother’s Day being on Sunday, I guess we’ll be here until late.”
