Jan Newsletter
NEWS FROM THE FLOWER SHOP
“If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow we aren’t really living”
WHAT'S HAPPENING
New outlook on flower giving
New website with some cool new features
Valentine's Day 2021
NEW OUTLOOK
Friends of Bell and Trunk,
Any flower shop owner will tell you that by the time the New Year's Eve fireworks fade, we're already thinking about our biggest day of the year: Valentine's Day.
This year, we have plenty of company. Who doesn’t look forward to a chance to celebrate love and friendship in a new year?
Change is in full bloom already, and I’m not just talking about the newest cultivars we are getting in the flower shop these days. A new Administration plans a whole new approach to fighting the pandemic. Yes, Covid is still raging, and we continue to wear masks and avoid risky contact with other people. We just need to keep finding ways to keep love alive, and Bell and Trunk is here to help!
Most of us are spending our workdays at home, our evenings at home, our weekends at home. That’s a way to show consideration for the health and safety of each other. We’re showing up for work via Zoom (if we’re lucky enough to be working), homeschooling our kids, insta-carting our groceries and binge-watching Netflix. We’ve also been subjected to a daily onslaught of fear-inducing and politically polarizing headlines.
How about a bouquet in the background? Lockdown doesn’t have to be drab.
From my perspective, our community has been reinvigorated by our response to the multiple crises of 2020. Bell and Trunk has challenges like everybody else, but our customers have stuck with us. Your response has been an exciting thing to witness.
People who now work at home have been livening up common spaces with flowers for their families and housemates. People who live alone are practicing self-care by subscribing to a weekly flower delivery. I’m also noticing a lot of love going around: Bell and Trunk has been sending out more engagement flowers than ever before.
Some couples aren’t about to wait for the pandemic to be over. Zoom weddings are now a thing. Long-distance relationships are staying fresh with a surprise bouquet of fresh, fragrant peonies and garden roses showing up on the doorstep — a classic romantic gesture that works better than ever in the shelter-at-home era.
I’ve been Bell and Trunk proprietor for 13 years, and we are delivering more “just because” flowers than ever before. I often do my own deliveries now that I have more time — especially in the Potrero Hill neighborhood where my shop is located —and it gives me so much joy to bring flowers to someone’s friend or family member living alone when they least expect it. The surprised look on their faces is priceless!
Our business is growing not because of any particular game plan we came up with. It’s because our customers are thoughtful, grateful and wonderful people who are taking care of themselves and each other during difficult times. And I’m thrilled if our anemones, ranunculus and French tulips can play a part.
That’s a big reason why we not only survived 2020, but start the new year feeling pretty okay. Our business is down by half with no traditional weddings and events on the calendar yet. But online orders for delivery and in-store pickup have grown. Our subscription service is taking off. Our regular accounts like Mason on Mariposa continue to support us. And our Potrero Hill neighbors make it a point to pop in the store on 18th Street on the weekends — even with limited COVID hours.
Because of this support, we have added Thursdays and Fridays to our weekend hours, and we hope to reopen seven days a week soon. Customer support has done wonders to sustain the business. You have also kept our spirits up and creative energy flowing.
Thank you, loyal Bell and Trunk customers, for the privilege of playing a role in the love you’re spreading with fresh flowers.
xo,
Vanessa
Email me at vanessa@bellandtrunk.com
NEW & IMPROVED WEBSITE
We have been working for the past several months on ways to make our online experience better for our customers who have turned to ordering online as a way of life. We think you’ll love the clean aesthetics and the streamlined ordering process on our new website. It has such a joy to comb through photos of our individual floral arrangements, weddings and events to inspire new presentations. We know the pandemic has changed how we shop. In response, we have enhanced our online presence to include e-gift certificates, subscription services, and elopement flowers. As always, we appreciate your feedback.
VALENTINE’S DAY 2021
Valentine’s Day is Sunday, February 14.
Valentine's week hours:
Our Potrero Hill store will be open
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11 am - 6 pm and
Sundays from 9 am-1 pm.
We suggest you order early to get the best selection of flowers and avoid the line at the shop. We can deliver, too! We have a special Valentine’s Day 2021 option to simplify your life! Showing your love with a splash of living color need not be difficult.
We also have a nicely curated selection of candles and other gifts for your sweetie.
Email Us!
Shop phone: (415) 648-0519
Address: 1411 18th Street SF, CA 94107
AND JUST FOR FUN....
Here is a story I wrote about red roses on Valentine’s Day for the San Francisco Chronicle a few years ago.