CORONAVIRUS: STRONGER TOGETHER

Local Florist Committed To Bringing People Together Through Flowers

Apr 2, 2020, 10:51 PM | Updated: Jul 1, 2022, 11:49 pm

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah — It’s not the easiest time to be selling flowers, but one local florist has committed himself and his business to bringing people together, even during times of uncertainty and social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

When a pandemic is in full bloom, it’s not easy to blossom as a florist.

Jerry Rose owns Hillside Floral located at 2495 E. Fort Union Boulevard in Cottonwood Heights. He said he had considered closing shop earlier in the week amid the spread of COVID-19.

“Total demand for flowers for us is probably off almost 40 percent,” Rose said.

Traditional revenue sources were drying up as funeral and wedding plans were altered, and parties were practically non-existent.

Rose had always said flowers are “100-percent emotion,” but in recent days, he learned that business decisions sometimes are, too. That’s why his shop was still open on Thursday.

“The thing that’s really risen is all this outreaching to people that are hurting by themselves,” Rose said.

The business owner said flowers are now finding homes under circumstances they never would have before.

“I had a lady that called me just about an hour ago,” Rose said. “She was in the hospital with double pneumonia. She said, ‘thank goodness it’s not coronavirus, but I’d like to send myself some flowers.’”

He said stories like those had been unfolding all day.

“My staff has taken on like a whole different feel for this, like, ‘we’re really helping people,’” Rose said.

Just maintaining supply has been challenge enough. Rose said he is fortunate to have direct connections to growers — including in California — where he said flowers were classified similarly to vegetables.

Deliveries are completed with social distancing standards in mind.

“Well, you know, it’s a risk for everybody,” worker Kathy Parlette said. “I usually wear the mask and the gloves. I try to be safe.”

Parlette said she has been grateful to add color to some otherwise gloomy days.

“It brightens their whole day,” Parlette said. “I mean, who doesn’t love flowers?”

Rose said operating right now isn’t about making a profit, it’s about providing a service.

“I think this is one of the times that is really, really important,” he said.

At a time when coronavirus is driving people apart, Rose said he has found purpose in closing the social distance.

“In the 40 years we’ve been here, there’s never been anything like it,” Rose said. “It’s been fabulous. It’s given us a whole different reason to be here.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Top Stories

Coronavirus: Stronger Together

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 09: A pharmacist prepares to administer  COVID-19 vaccine booster sho...
Jed Boal

University Health recommends getting omicron booster and flu shot now

The CDC approved the COVID-19 bivalent boosters that target the most recent omicron variants on September 1. Since then, tens of thousands of Utahns have rolled up their sleeves.
6 months ago
Only 50% of Utans are vaccinated and cases are surging because of the Omicron variant BA.5. FILE PH...
Jed Boal

BA.5 variant driving new surge of Utah COVID-19 cases

President Joe Biden’s positive Covid case Thursday was a sober reminder that Utah is not done fending off COVID-19 in many communities.
8 months ago
Utah COVID testing site. Getty images...
Cary J. Schwanitz, KSL TV

New mobile COVID-19 testing sites open in Utah

With the summer travel season underway and a steady stream of people still testing positive for COVID-19, Nomi Health opened several mobile testing sites across Utah.
10 months ago
The lawn of Timpanogos Regional Hospital was adorned with flags to honor the lives lost to COVID-19...
Ashley Moser, KSL TV

Hospital ceremony honors survivors, healthcare heroes as U.S. hits one million COVID-19 deaths

The lawn of Timpanogos Regional Hospital was adorned with flags to honor the lives lost to COVID-19, those who survived it, and the caregivers and healthcare workers who cared for the sick.
11 months ago
...
Debbie Worthen, KSL TV

Utah County couple gives Minky Couture blankets to medical team at Utah Valley Hospital

Russell Greene doesn't call himself a COVID-19 survivor, he calls himself a COVID-19 miracle. His family thanked medical workers for saving his life.
1 year ago
Salt Lake City's streets were deserted in the early days of the pandemic. (KSL TV)...
Alex Cabrero, KSL TV

A reporter looks back on two years of pandemic in Utah

Two years ago on March 11, 2020, the world changed for many Americans as COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. Today, things are slowly getting back to normal. 
1 year ago

Sponsored Articles

Stack of old laptops with dark background...
PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.
Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...
BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.
Close up of an offset printing machine during production...
Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.
vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...
Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.
Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...
Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.
notebook with password notes highlighted...
PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.
Local Florist Committed To Bringing People Together Through Flowers