CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) – To many, Valentine’s Day means flowers and sweet gestures. It’s the busiest time of year for those in the floral industry, including Nate’s Flowers and Gifts.
“Valentine’s Day can make or break a shop in this industry. Single handedly, if you don’t do it right or your numbers aren’t where they need to be, it carries you. Our slower months are during the summer. Valentine’s Day will carry us through our slower months if it’s successful,” said Phil Monroe, the manager at Nate’s Flowers and Gifts.
But like many businesses across the country, Nate’s is feeling the impact of the pandemic. They’re seeing many supply shortages, and one of the biggest factors is shipping.
“Getting product is a nightmare. Getting supplies is a nightmare. There’s so many different every day stuff that’s always been available to us we can’t get anymore,” said Monroe.
Nate’s gets most of their supplies from South America. Farmers there have less supplies due to worker shortages, and flight crews are seeing an increase in Covid-19 cases. Once supplies finally arrive in the United States, the driver shortage impacts how long it takes to get here, since it’s a landlocked state.
“Getting product here in Wyoming is tough in itself, let alone dealing with what we’re dealing with together, but you know we have wonderful customers, wonderful crew, and we’re just going to do the best we can,” said Monroe.
Monroe says working together is what makes holidays like Valentine’s Day work in this industry, despite these challenges.
“It’s such a wonderful community to be a part of, and we’re doing our best to bring in the best product and give you guys what you deserve here in Casper,” said Monroe.
Copyright 2022 Wyoming News Now. All rights reserved.
