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Exotic Flowers in Boston

Exotic Flowers in Store Safety Measures for Staff and Visitors

Posted by Rick Canale on Fri, Jul 24, 2020

Our Roslindale location at 609 American Legion Highway is open and welcoming clients and guests. Things are a little different from years past but everything we do is for our safety and yours.

We are still here every day but our hours have changed a bit. We are here Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. Saturday 830 am to 2 pm and a skeleton crew on Sunday from 9 am to 11 am. As always, sometimes we come earlier and leave later. If we're here, we can assist you. We still deliver six days per week.

Exotic Flowers in Boston Covid

A few things we are doing to ease your burdens. 

  • Curbside pick up is available. Call ahead and we can bring it out or leave it outside the door.
  • In-store service is available. Masks are required. We offer a free mask to anyone who needs one. Please make sure your nose and mouth are covered. A mask is not a chin strap.
  • Two stand-alone hand sanitizer stations in the store and a workshop sink with hand soap. All are welcome and encouraged to use.
  • All staff is also equipped with branded pocket hand sanitizers. Check out our new logo as a symbol of precious life from a new beginning.
  • There are a few familiar items we will not have until Phase 4. Lollipops, pens, and portfolio books will return later.

We're in this together. Your kindness, patience, and support matter. Thank you.

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Tags: Boston Flower Shop, Covid-19, Corona Virus

Where Have All The Roslindale Flower Shops Gone ?

Posted by Rick Canale on Tue, Oct 16, 2018

In the past couple of years, Boston residents may have noticed a change in the local florist landscape. Roslindale's Square Dandelions Flower Shop closed over a year ago and both Louie the Florist and Calisi's Flowerland have closed their doors as we.

At Exotic Flowers, we are going to miss our colleagues. We are firm believers in the rising tide and feel that the more flower shops, the more awareness.

exotic flowers boston Thankfully, we are still here in celebrating our 88th year as a family owned and operated business in the same location. 609 American Legion Hwy, Roslindale, MA 02131

Tags: Boston Flower Shop, Shop Local, Roslindale Florist

Introducing the Charles Street Flower Bouquet

Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Sep 20, 2017

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The Charles Street Flower bouquet was created to offer Bostonians a floral gift that reduces stress. In iour hurried lives, flowers can help us relax and take a moment to enjoy beauty. Why Charles Street ? Located in the West End, this Beacon Hill street offers Bostonians a picture perfect inviting stroll for its residents. Also, Charles Street Flowers was a crown jewel of the Boston flower seen.

 

Tags: Boston Flower Shop, Flower Arrangements, Boston, Beacon Hill

Misconceptions about florists and their jobs

Posted by Suzie Canale on Thu, Sep 29, 2016

I just saw this hysterical video on line where two women put on a skit about the common misconceptions of becoming a florist.  The plot begins with a customer entering the store, presumably asking “typical” questions to the proprietor about different buying situations that are familiar to well seasoned florists.  If you work in the industry, you may have already seen the clip because the link has gone viral, particularly within the floral community.  Some of the inquiries and comments include: “This must be the most relaxing place in the world to work” (giggle, snort, sigh) and “Is this all you have to browse today?” when there are buckets of blossoms lined up in the background.   The whole thing is a farce and made to show the incredible misunderstandings that seem to be connected with the floral occupation.  So it got me thinking about a laundry list of lies that I have heard over the twenty-year stint I experienced while working in the wholesale sector.  

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These are the ones I laugh at the most… Have you ever experienced any of these as well?


  1. Retail florists make so much money; they can afford to take as much time off as they desire.  Although wholesalers make more, they don’t even work past 1pm in most places.  Fact: Retail florists typically work six to seven days a week, generally from seven in the morning until eight or nine o’clock at night.  Wholesalers commonly start their day anywhere from two to three o’clock in the morning to meet the shipments arriving by truck from airports.  They don’t work less; they have to punch the clock in while you’re still in bed asleep.
  2. Working in a flower shop is the easiest job you can get because it requires no physical activity, the most being the task of arranging pretty blossoms together in vases.  Fact: The manual labor associated with the floral industry is congruent with the restaurant business where there is little to no “down time” during shifts.  Accurate physical responsibilities include heavy lifting, fast paced movement and constant up and down bending.
  3. Becoming a florist takes no prior talent or experience and there is absolutely no education required.  Anyone can do it.  Fact:  Most florists hold college degrees in horticulture, agriculture or business where it is imperative that they know how to handle, care and operate a successful self-supporting company.  Many flower shop owners now also make it mandatory for all staff to attend conferences, design clinics and other continuing education opportunities available within the industry to keep on top of trends.
  4. The majority of flower shops in Bostonstay open for at least five years with few closing before their one-year anniversary.  Fact: Opening a flower business and keeping one open are two totally different issues.  One in every three shops end up closing before twelve months in operation and only a few today have been around as long as ten or more years.  The flower industry remains one of the top most competitive markets in Boston.
  5. All that’s needed to run a successful flower shop is a few nice flowers and some empty vases.  The rest will work itself out on its own.  Fact: In order to organize a well run flower business, you must have a talented staff, a well thought out business plan, a great location, access to a demographic that will spend money on flowers, a dependable wholesaler that will supply product of the appropriate grade, enough start up cash to float you during the rougher months of the year, genius merchandising and marketing strategies, top notch sales people, talent and most importantly LUCK!  

Tags: Boston Flower Shop, Exotic Flowers Employees, Boston Florist, Boston Florist Staff, Florist

Facts About Boston Florists That Make Them Special

Posted by Suzie Canale on Mon, Oct 26, 2015

We already know how fabulous Boston florists are, don’t we?  Possessing contemporary innovation, a wide variety of premium product and an outstanding reputation for knowledge within the industry, Boston floral designers are among the most elite in the country.  From the east coast to the west coat, Boston still trumps the skill and ingenuity compared to others in the business and there’s a good reason why!  Our finest florists are gifted with particular qualities and characteristics that set them apart from the rest.  It’s true!  Just take a look at some of these fun facts about our city’s fabulous florists that continually make them rise above the rest.


  • Mother Nature’s A Blessing To Boston Florists

Mother Nature plays a huge part in assisting buyers and designers from the northeast region and the reason why is because we are susceptible with four different seasons of change.  Unlike other regions, this allows us to have a deeper knowledge of texture and color.  Boston florists tend to have a richer compilation of tones and shading as well as utilizing a larger variation of height and size within their work.  Not only does it make the centerpieces, bouquets and daily arrangements more interesting to consumers, there is a constant theme of “change” making these pieces overall more enjoyable.


  • Boston Florists Are Wicked Smart!

Boston florists are among the highest educated in the industry possessing a 75% percent rate of college graduates.  Popular degrees range from business administration to agriculture, forming a well informed community of intelligence within operation, marketing, design and management.  Boston florists are also known to be extremely supportive of local design schools.  Not only do they participate by aiding learning branches with grants, scholarships and internships, they proactively help to prepare and ready the next generation of talent within the industry.  


  • “Flexible” Is Their Middle Name

It’s true that Boston companies struggle with a heightened expenditure of gas, electricity and rent than many other florists but this only allows them to be able to think outside the restrictions of cost better than competitors.  Bean Town’s finest are well crafted in downsizing, upsizing and substituting floral varieties when a client is strapped on a budget.  Being one of the largest importing cities in the industry, local buyers have a firm understanding of market trends and availability leading the customer to higher grounds of satisfaction.  No matter what the occasion calls for, designers are ready to sculpt and mold pieces that reflect all ends of cost while still presenting a stunning visual affect.  Their flexibility is so accommodating, there leaves no reason why Bostonians can’t enjoy fresh flowers year round!  



Tags: Boston Flower Shop, Floral Design, Boston Florist, Boston, Florist

Do You Tip the Boston Flower Delivery Guy on Valentine's Day ?

Posted by Rick Canale on Tue, Feb 11, 2014

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Although many of our drivers at Exotic Flowers do not look like Ashton Kutcher, they do love their job. Our two senior drivers have been with us for more than 20 years combined.
Delivering flowers in Boston can be stressful, but also rewarding. What better way to share an emotion with someone than handing them a beautiful flower arrangement.
At Exotic Flowers our Boston flower buyers often ask us if they should tip the driver ? Please do. Our drivers do not expect gratuities, but they sure do appreciate them.
Thank you for sharing your Boston Valentine's Day with Exotic Flowers.

Tags: Boston Flower Shop, Flower Deliveries, Boston Flower Delivery, Boston Florist Staff, Valentine's Day

Where Are All the Flower Shops in Boston ?

Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Feb 01, 2012

Boston Flower Shop
In the past ten years, flower shops in Boston and the United States have been closing their doors. The population of flower shops is descending at a rapid rate. Rising costs and a withering economy have closed the doors of many Boston florists.
As a Boston florist, we moved out of our Faneuil Hall location in May. The lack of florists is causing a huge void in a city where flowers are so loved. Wisteria is gone from Rowes Wharf. Holbrow's is no longer at government center but now in Quincy. Milk street florist used to be legendary. Anthony Depari, Joe Taibi, and Jack Ramsey of Gould's Florist have all passed away and their shops cease to exist. Winston Flowers is no longer on Boylston Street and moved their Post Office Square to a smaller store near South Station.
I miss the visuals of Dutch Flower Garden on Newbury Street and Harvard Square. Christopher's of Harvard Square in Cambridge was a huge talent that the floral industry and Cambridge suffer from their closing.
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Minihane's of Brighton has sold their building and moved into retirement. Kaboom in Brighton has also closed. While B&G Sawin of Brighton remains in business, their storefront is no longer. Dahlia's in Boston also had their property sold and did not find no digs.
 Zeeba Flowers in Brookline chose not to find a new location in Coolidge Corner. The Empty Vase and Flora & Fauna in the South End are no longer. Kabloom in the north end, School Street and South Station are all gone.The Boston Flowers Shop in Kenmore Square is gone. 
 Boylston Street Florist in Boston is gone. Rob Roy in West Roxbury gone for a long time. Flower Loft in Quincy ? Exotic Flowers in Cohasset ? Petal & Leaf in Jamaica Plain.
Where is my pal Kip Seltzer of Selzer's Chestnut Hill ? Rest in peace, Kip.
 Rising costs and a poor economy are crushing the small business owner.
At Exotic Flowers, we have five florists in a one mile radius that includes Walk Hill Florist, City Farm, Louie the Florist and Flowerland. This plethora of florists is good for business. Competition breeds success.

Tags: Boston Flower Shop, Boston Florist, KaBloom Boston, KaBloom's Demise

Exotic Flowers Boston Rewards Top Clients with Popcorn Hydrangea of Poppingtom

Posted by Rick Canale on Sat, Aug 06, 2011

poppingtom resized 600Boston, MA

Dear friends,                                                                                                                      August, 2011

 

At Exotic Flowersin Boston, you often ask us to send gifts for newborns, birthdays and anniversaries. We are honored that you choose our Boston flower shop to be such a special part of your lives.  We realize that sending flowers is all about sending emotions. We do not take that job lightly. At the end of the day, your special events give us purpose. We feel we help make your lives better and we are thankful for this huge responsibility.

At Exotic Flowers -  friendships, relationships and family are so important. Of course we like to share our achievements with you as well. Last winter you showed so much kindness when my wife Suzie released her first children's book, The Land of Chocolate Cosmos. I am thankful.

Popcorn Hydrangea of Poppingtom

This week, Suzie has now released her second children's book, The Popcorn Hydrangea of Poppingtom. I know you will love it. For our best clients, we are sending a complimentary copy for your enjoyment. After all, we are all kids at heart. Whether you have kids or just think like one, I know you will love this book.

Thank you for everything. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Know that I am at your disposal.

with gratitude and admiration,

 

Tags: Boston Flower Shop, Exotic Flowers Marketing, Childrens Book

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