Local florists having a hard time meeting demand

Mike Esquivel, owner of the Flower Mine in Yuma, says his flower sales are up almost 100 percent from last year

YUMA, Ariz. ( KYMA, KECY-TV ) - Local florists across the region have been having a hard time keeping up with demand so far this year.

"For us, people say I should be happy," Owner of The Flower Mine Mike Esquivel said. "In a way yes, you see young families coming in, getting flowers for their parents, grandparents. For so long they couldn't see one another because of the pandemic so flowers is a way to show they cared. Even coping with losses, not being able to be there, it's been hard for so many people so our demand has been almost overwhelming."

Esquivel says sales are up across the floral industry.

"I talk to fellow florists, not only here but in California and in other states and it is the same thing," Esquivel said. "We found out there was a shortage of florist product. We've been having to call, wait or back order, just like I said it's been overwhelming."

Esquivel says his sales are up nearly 100 percent compared to a year a go. In fact, he's also added two more vehicles to his delivery fleet.

"Normally for Mother's Day, we're busy the two or three days before Sunday," Esquivel said. "This year it's been the whole week. Again, it hasn't just been this month, April, March and February was just incredible."

Esquivel says he'll be open on Mother's Day as he has been for the past three years. The favorite gift for mom he says, is red roses.