Large Support for Small Local Biz!

American Express is putting some large support behind small local businesses with a new training initiative that will help small businesses gain the support of their communities.  American Express is a founding partner of Small Business Saturday, which falls the day after Black Friday, the start of the holiday shopping season.  With the change in shopping alternatives in the last decades, mega malls, the Internet and  large box stores have made it harder for the small business to stay alive.  Small business start ups have increased because successes are far between.

The 3/50 project has been around since March of 2009.  The project is based on the theory that if half the people who are employed picked three local businesses they like and spend $50 per month in each of these stores it would greatly impact our economy.  For every $100 spent in an independent local business $68 returns to the local economy.  With a large chain store purchase $43 returns and with Internet purchases 0 is returned to the local economy.  To quote Cindy Baxter, President of the 3/50 Project LLC.
“I hand Superman capes to small business owners, then teach them to fly."

Empty store fronts benefit no one.  If we follow in the footsteps of the 3/50 Project and Small Business Saturday we could make a great impact on our local economy.

SHOP SMALL, SHOP LOCAL!

See the attached link for specific impact local business make on the economy.
http://reclaimdemocracy.org/independent_business/local_business_benefits.html

Martha Cederstrom

Owner and Designer

Gifts from the Heart Florist

783 Deer Park Avenue

North Babylon, NY 11703

(631) 539-8887

www.giftsfromtheheartflorist.com

Out with the old and in with the new.

This time of year many small business merchants put things on sale to make room for the upcoming holiday season.  It's a great time to pick up an early birthday gift at a bargain price or just treat yourself to something special.  Try to stop into your favorite local stores to take advantage of the savings they can offering and to support them in their efforts to bring interesting new merchandise to you.  I attended a gift show during July in Philadelphia were I saw beautiful new merchandise available for the fall and holiday seasons.  My goal is  always to find unique gifts as well as traditional pieces that will keep my customers coming back.  So far we have a new line of beauty products, wood wicked soy candles and hand made signs with original art work. 

This week we are running a plant sale and a raffle for a free fresh cut flower bouquet.  Happy shopping!

Martha Cederstrom

Owner and Designer

Gifts from the Heart Florist

783 Deer Park Avenue

North Babylon, NY 11703

(631) 539-8887

www.giftsfromtheheartflorist.com

Gifts from the Heart of a Florist: Longest Lasting Anniversary Roses!

Gifts from the Heart of a Florist: Longest Lasting Anniversary Roses!: It's summer and we are in the middle of wedding season, which means that we are also in the middle of anniversary season.  Given the popular...

Longest Lasting Anniversary Roses!

It's summer and we are in the middle of wedding season, which means that we are also in the middle of anniversary season.  Given the popularity of the summer wedding it just stands to reason that there would be more wedding anniversaries during these hot months.  Roses being the flower of "love" they are very often the flower of choice for both wedding and anniversary bouquets.  Gifts from the Heart Florist has been running a rose special, a great value price for long stem florist grade roses.  They are available in a rainbow of colors, special requests must be called in ahead. 
To keep these beautiful blooms looking happy and fresh we have some tips for you to follow.
               1)  Always buy your roses from a tried and true vendor.
                    Your roses should last a week, if not you are not getting the
                     freshest quality product.
               2)  Always give roses a fresh cut when putting them in a vase. 
                     They should be cut with a sharp knife or pruner (no scissors),
                     and put in fresh water with flower food.  Repeat the cutting and
                     change the water every other day for longer flower life.
               3)  Be sure that there are no leaves or flower petals in the water, they will
                     cause extra bacteria which will kill the flowers.
                4)  Ask your florist opinion to get the longest lasting roses.  We have
                     many years experience and know which varieties are the longest
                     lasting.  There are hundreds of varieties in different colors so we have
                     lots to choose from.  Because my customers and my reputation are
                     very important I go out of my way to by the roses that I know will
                     perform the best.                  
                 5) Be sure to keep your vase out of direct sunlight, away from heat or
                      cold drafts.
                 6)  Next time you buy roses, even if it is just one, take the time to follow
                      these steps and see how long they last!

This week we have hot pink, yellow, white, red, burgundy and orange spray roses.