With spring in full swing, and June just around the corner, flower shops are looking forward to the busy season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

A new normal

Local flower shops in full bloom following Phase 2 of re-open plan

May 27, 2020 | 2:00 PM

It has been just over a week since Phase 2 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan was announced, which featured the re-opening of retail stores and personal care services across the province.

Much like their product, flower shops have been in full bloom since, allowing customers a chance to pick up bouquets for special occasions or add an additional pop of colour to their garden with flowers of various shapes and styles.

Milbanke Flowers in North Battleford has been offering personal delivery service throughout the last two months, but were happy to re-open the doors to their shop on the May 19, when Phase 2 officially took affect.

Like many businesses, owner and manager of Milbanke Flowers, Glen Libbey, said they are realizing some new challenges that come with operating post-COVID-19 shutdown. He explained the return to in-store business has been a bit of a gradual, but positive progression.

“People are just kind of getting used to this process of doors being open, and there’s some hesitation, [although] people are following the protocols quite well,” he said. “I believe people are careful and cautious of moving back to where we were at, so it’s a bit of a building process here, but everyone’s respecting that well and it is just about moving gradually back into some kind of normality.”

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Some adjustments to day-to-day operations at the shop have included limiting the number of people allowed in the store at a given time, the implementation of direction lines on the floor, encouraging of customers to social distance, and regular sanitizing of counter spaces and other frequently-touched surfaces.

Outside the building, Libbey said the delivery service has always been a big part of the business, but has been an especially valuable asset over the last two months.

Non-contact delivery allowed Milbanke Flowers to remain open in some capacity, while the store itself was closed. Libbey said it was key to providing those in the community with flowers for their special occasions, during an important time.

“People were unable to be out and visit people or go out for supper, so this was an alternative for them,” he said. “We appreciate all the support that came through from the community for us.”

Libbey added they are excited to have people back in the store, and to be able to provide a personal service to those celebrating significant occasions in the Battlefords.

“People are having small gatherings, but there is still need for flowers at events and we’re seeing small orders trickling through,” he said. “These are events or milestones like graduations and weddings that will continue and we’re here to help people out if they need that service.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1