Now Open - Drive Thru Valentine

Check it out! We are open for business.

We love this time of year...

Drive Thru Valentine Tent Is Up

The tent is up and we are getting things ready!

Hours today are 1pm-8pm. On Valentine's Day we are open 6am-8pm. Stop down to Wisconsin State Fair Park in front of the Pettit Center to say hello.

Gearing up for Valentine's Day in Milwaukee

We are getting everything ready at our Milwaukee area distribution hub for the big Valentine's Day rush next week. Monday and Tuesday are going to be crazy!

Locker's is happy to help you with all of your Valentine gift needs.

Get your order in early and we will have our flower experts ready and waiting to design a fresh arrangement for your sweetie. Have it delivered to work or home for a great surprise.

Otherwise, you can stop down to visit our DriveThruValentine tent at Wisconsin State Fair Park on Monday, February 13th and Tuesday, February 14th. Just drive up, choose your items and we bring it right to your car. Check it out at www.drivethruvalentine.com

SIMMERING AND SAVORING

You. Yes, you there. With the hop in your step, twinkle in your eye, and handful of garland before the jack-o-lantern has passed on. I am talking to you, with the boxes of lights crowding your hallway, and presents already on lay-a-way. Aren’t you forgetting something?

There is still plenty of autumn to be had, including its’ crowing celebration with turkey and stuffed relatives. Winter will have its moment, and drag on forever if I recall. So slow down, take time, and smell the pumpkin pie.

Whether you are receiving guests in your home, or are invited over for dinner for Thanksgiving, don’t neglect the impact and beauty of late season flowers and decorations. Welcome family to your home with a warm wreath on your door. If you are hesitant about its short life, request a trans-seasonal mix of evergreens, wheat, faux fruit, and rich ribbon in burnt orange, copper or burgundy which can last longer than the leftovers.

If you aren’t cooking your own pumpkin or apple pie, fake it with wonderful scented candles placed strategically in the home. Why not use miniature gourds to hold each guests name and decorate the table? If your feast is more about football than side dishes, order up a novelty design of mums shaped like a football to place on the buffet table, or simply decorate a beautiful mum with team colors.

Get the kids involved with carving out pumpkins. You can toast the seeds, and use the shells as holders for plants, fresh floral designs, or even as soup tureens.

There is no better way to thank your hosts than with the ever-welcome gift of fresh flowers for their table. Celebrate the season with both traditional and newer autumn blooms. Combine sunflowers, mums, apples, spray roses, berries and leaves into a cornucopia. Alternately, select gorgeous chocolate colored orchids with bittersweet, smokebush, photina, and wide candles for an updated, contemporary look. There are now just as many shades of apricot, orange, vermillion, gold, champagne and chocolate roses from US and import growers as pink or white shades, and can make a statement when combined with seasonal branches and leaves instead of the classic baby’s breath. Selecting fresh blooms as your way of saying “thanks” assures you the best seat next year, include a bottle of wine and you are gravy!

Because, in the end, this celebration, no matter how it began, or how you honor it today, is about family, harvesting what we have sowed all year, and gratitude. Flowers and the bounty of nature remind us of our own ephemeral nature, reminding us to take time to be grateful for every moment together, every shared meal, and even every argument about where the serving spoons are.

What you have is this moment. What you want should be what you have. Stop. Pause. Hug your family. Share a drink. Toast those who passed. Stop and smell the chrysanthemums. You’ll thank me.

A day to remember those we often forget

Make this Saturday, Sweetest Day, something special for someone who may not always be remembered...

Did you know that the history of Sweetest Day dates back to 1922 when a smalltown businessman by the name of Herbert Birch Kingston decided to bring cheer to local orphans, elderly, homebound people and others he felt may feel a little forgotten during the traditional holiday seasons? Mr. Kingston did this by handing out small gifts to people throughout the city of Cleveland, Ohio. Following his efforts, local confectioneries and florists continued the holiday each year, naming it "The Sweetest Day of the Year".

Make someone feel special this year, whether they are the the sweetest in your life, or someone who may really appreciate sweets!

Language of Color.

One of the most commonly asked questions, as a florist, is "What do the different colors of roses mean?" - well here are a few answers....

Red roses - Love and endless passion. Only meant to be given as a devotion of true, infinite love.

Yellow roses - Friendship. When someone is feeling down, in need of a hug, this is the perfect rose to brighten their day.

White roses - Purity and innocence. This rose is also known as a "bridal rose" - as it is commonly associated with young, new love.

Pink roses - Elegance and femininity. A beautiful gift of grace and beauty. This rose is usually given as a gift of admiration or respect.

Orange roses - Desire and enthusiasm. This vibrant bloom is one meant to add excitement to one's intentions. Orange roses are most commonly paired with another color to create a deeper meaning.

Purple roses - Enchantment. Commonly associated with mystery and intrigue, the perfect gift for love at first site.

In addition to the rose, many flowers are used to represent colors associated with certain cultures....

Green, the symbol of luck thanks to the Irish!

Red or Fuschia, the bold colors of China and India.

Red and Yellow, the marriage colors of Egypt, Asia and Russia.

Blue or Turquoise, the "wedding color" of many Western countries. "Something borrowed, something blue".

Purple, the color of wealth and royalty, dating back to ancient Greece.

Service with a Smile & More...what your florist can do for you

A century ago, flowers were grown in one's own yard and enjoyed modestly outside of major occasions like weddings or funerals, which were served by family owned floral businesses. Today it is common to find flowers almost everywhere; your local flower shop, your neighbors yard, the grocery store, farmers market, the street corner, and even places like gas stations and Wal-mart. With so many options, and flowers becoming a commodity, why continue to choose your local professional florist?

Beyond the intrinsic value of supporting local companies who hire from, buy in and support your community, a professional offers services well beyond basic blooms. They can provide:

1) information on fresh flower and plant availability and suggestions for alternates when your favorite is out of season.

2) guidance on trends in floral, fashion, weddings, and gifts

3) best designs for your occasion and complimentary gifts

4) same day delivery...outside of pizza, this is hard to come by!

5) non-traditional gifts like fruit baskets, candy, pies, and more. Most with notice will custom design the perfect gift basket for your recipient

6) information on plant care, fresh flower care

7) re-potting of older plants

8) special ordering of exotic items

9) custom design for the home

10) ideas/options from the opulent to budget friendly for your wedding and other events

11) peace of mind...your gift, expertly prepared, handled by people you get to know, and delivered on time.

12) classes! Many florists offer design classes, which can be fun and informative, and a great way to learn more about flowers and to spend time with friends.

13) restaurant/photographer/bar/ movie/ baker/ etc suggestions....your local professional works with many other vendors and local businesses and can guide you in finding some local gems.

14) rental containers.

15) follow up service. Where else can you buy a gift, have it custom made, delivered, re-delivered if needed, and comes with a guarantee?

16) candles, ribbons, gems, speciality vases, and more

17) genuine concern...you are not a number with your flower shop. Like a barber, bartender or barista; they are there for all of life's high and low points...when babies are born, at birthdays, serious illnesses, proposals, weddings, thank yous, funerals and just making folks smile.

18) flower lore (where did the bridal bouquet come from, what are the special qualities of marigolds, etc)

19) full value. Ordering from unknown sites or call centers often comes with hidden fees.

20) quality product. Your florist knows where their blooms came from, handles them with proper care, and the attention and service often lacking in other transactions.

When offered with a choice, please consider flowers, and the local professionals whose passion for the product offers so much more than the price tag suggests. We hope to see you soon!