What happened to the flower vendors?
Where have all the flower carts gone?There were about three vendors set up on Bird Avenue from about McDonald to Matilda, now they all seem to be gone.
This was such a nice thing, you could always count on them being there when you needed a quick gift or pick-me-up and they were all nice hard-working people, with very fair pricing.
It's dead on the stretch of street now. We need those colorful carts back. In fact, I would recommend a few in the Central Business District, as well.
posted by Tom Falco at 11:00 AM
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11 Comments:
Those vendors have been there forever and add so much to the Grove. They are hardworking people trying to make an honest living. Does anyone know why they are not operating?
Probably were there w/o a permit? Thats the only thing I can think of. Too bad.
No it wasn't that they were without a permit. I used to buy flowers from them every week for my business --- the trouble is they wouldn't sell anything and flowers are perishable just as food is and no one was supporting it. The truth is grovites want to have restaurants, flower shops, all kinds of businesses but at the end of the day their isn't enough people to support local businesses that is why their are soooo many businesses that come and go!
So all 3 of them went out of business at the same time? Doesn't sound right! At least one could have stayed and they would have cleaned up.
Your recommendation of "a few in the Central Business District" is a real winner. I for one am tired of patronizing businesses that actually pay for rent, utilities and maybe even advertising. In addition to mobile flower vendors, we could also use some portable food stands. Enough of those greedy restaurateurs who maintain kitchens, hire wait staff and provide all sorts of useless accessories such as tables and chairs. We count on the Grape to always see the big picture.
You cant fault people for not wanting to spend money at a road side flower stand, especially since times are a little tougher on all of us now. Its not the consumer's fault when a business fails. Its the business owner's duty to do the right things to attract business and make sales. The "shame on you for not supporting Grove businesses" rub has gotten quite old. Its more like "shame on businesses for not marketing themselves well enough to draw people in". Gimme a reason to patronize your business besides "Im in the Grove". I worry about Pisco's for this very reason. Other than Thursday nights for Joe Donato, Ive yet to see more than 3 tables with people at them at once. Its too bad because the food is really good and I think there is a good opportunity for them. I also never noticed that Mexican joint (I forget the name now, which fuels my point) next door to Pisco's until yesterday. Anyone been there yet? Anyone even know its there? Only reason I saw it is because there was a flyer for it at Chandi Wine & Spirits when I picked up some bourbon there the other night (they have a great selection of bourbon but some are overpriced while others are great value).
I bought some flowers from one of the carts a couple of weeks ago and chatted with the vendor. Times are very tough for them! (as previous comment states) Tough times are here for everyone and different businesses are going under every day. It's very sad!
I don't think it's a reflection on Grovites though - we do our best, but when our incomes are shrinking/ expenses such as gas increasing we cut back just as everyone does...
The carts disappearing is a sad sign of the times - but please don't blame the grovites for not supporting local businesses!
Some vendors in the central business area would brighten things up. Like on the corner of fuller and Grand or maybe in front of CocoWalk. I like the idea of adding a few to the central business area.
To Roadside Attraction: I am not sure how a couple of flower stands in the center grove would hurt other businesses with large staffs and overhead. I think it is charming and I assume they are licensed and pay their due or they would not have been around all those years on bird ave without a problem.
Most cities have them all over the place like NY, San Francisco, LA, even smaller places like Asheville NC and Savannah GA. They are very charming and a legitmate business. And they don't hurt restaurants or stores in any way.
Turn the black info booths into flower kiosks!
It was so sad to see the flower shop next to Greenstreets relocate across the street. They had the prettiest storefront on the block with their cart and gifts - probably the rent went up or maybe the owner has plans to raze the bldg and put up a 5 story condo - let's hope not.
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