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- A man heads home after shopping at the Flower District
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- A shopper checks the quality of the flowers in the area
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- Many restaurants and offices buy large bundles of flowers
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- Some shops specialize in household and garden green plants
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- Along with plants, ribbons and flower accessories are sold in great variety
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- A small shop keeps its flowers fresh in a refrigerator.
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- Flowers wilt as the cold weather affects them, losing businesses money.
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- Stores offer deep discounts and go out of business
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- Associated Cut Flowers is one of several stores closing in the district
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- Shoppers sort through plants displayed outside
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- Searching for the right branch
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- Leaves, branches, and petals must be swept from the street periodically
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- Fake flowers are becoming more popular during the cold months
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- The best fake flowers resemble real plants as much as possible
The flower district at West 28th street and 6th Avenue, holds a variety of businesses all dedicated to selling plants, flowers, and their accessories. In the winter months wreaths, Holly, and Christmas trees can be found in almost every store and filling the sidewalks for outdoor sales.
However, it is a precarious business. For every store owner, the need to move the product quickly is essential to making money. The cold weather makes it hard to sell traditional flowers year round. Unfortunately, flower shops are beginning to close down, as less people can afford to pay the expensive price of real flowers. Because of this, stores are expanding their products to include more flower accessories such as ribbons, glass and ceramic pots, and also fake plants.
The fact that the flower district is disappearing and being replaced by fake flowers actually reflects the times we’re living in as people don’t want to have to try and maintain the flowers and would rather something that will last longer even if its fake. Really informative and interesting essay.