The three ¿long stem roses¿ cupcakes are on display at A Thing Called Cake in Brawley. The cupcakes are one of the special Valentine¿s Day products Karla Leon (background) has made. |
Three long-stem red roses sit in a vase surrounded by fake leaves and a ribbon spelling out “hugs & kisses.”
While most presentations like this are common around this time of year, there’s something distinct about the display at a store in Brawley.
They’re edible.
The “flower” creations aren’t found at local florists, but rather a new bakery in Brawley that is embracing the Valentine’s Day season with special arrangements to celebrate love.
Although A Thing Called Cake on West E Street only opened at the beginning of January, business has been steadily growing, and now plenty of people are prepared to pick up sweets for their sweets on Tuesday, Valentine’s Day.
“They’re special. They’re different,” said Karla Leon, owner of the bakery. “I figured instead of roses that end up dying, give them flowers they can eat.”
The graphic-designer-turned-baker said since January people have been ordering the cakes, but she will be working through the weekend to get the orders done and make extra for those last-minute shoppers still in need of gifts.
A variety of businesses in the Imperial Valley are taking the same cue, gearing up for Valentine’s Day on Tuesday.
Throughout the country, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of flowers are sold and billions of dollars of chocolate are shipped every year. On average, Americans consumed 24.7 pounds of candy in 2010, though not all around the Valentine’s season, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About $375 million worth of flowers were sold in 2010, $17 million of that being roses.
Some of that business takes place locally as well, like at the El Centro florist shop, Cynthia’s Flower Connection. The business has been taking Valentine’s Day orders since Jan. 8, said owner Cynthia Derma. Now they’re very busy, running at full staff to get all the orders done and ready for delivery Tuesday.
Around this time of year it’s always good to order flowers in advance because it ensures they will arrive earlier in the day, she said. Those ordering should also know the address, apartment number and phone number of the person who will receive the flowers.
As of Friday there were about 100 orders at the local florist, and the store is preparing to stay open an hour later, until 6 p.m., and today as well, she said.
“(Giving flowers,) it’s the way to show somebody that you care and that you love them,” Derma said. “Even if it’s a best friend, you should send someone something that says you care.”
Sending flowers is also a way to say “I love you” if you can’t say it in person, she said. She’s gotten a few orders online from people in the military wanting to let their loved ones know that they are thinking of them.
“Give a smile. Send flowers. Let them know you care, and not just on Valentine’s,” she said, adding that some people have even cried when flowers were delivered because they had felt forgotten. “Every day should be a Valentine’s Day.”
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
While most presentations like this are common around this time of year, there’s something distinct about the display at a store in Brawley.
They’re edible.
The “flower” creations aren’t found at local florists, but rather a new bakery in Brawley that is embracing the Valentine’s Day season with special arrangements to celebrate love.
Although A Thing Called Cake on West E Street only opened at the beginning of January, business has been steadily growing, and now plenty of people are prepared to pick up sweets for their sweets on Tuesday, Valentine’s Day.
“They’re special. They’re different,” said Karla Leon, owner of the bakery. “I figured instead of roses that end up dying, give them flowers they can eat.”
The graphic-designer-turned-baker said since January people have been ordering the cakes, but she will be working through the weekend to get the orders done and make extra for those last-minute shoppers still in need of gifts.
A variety of businesses in the Imperial Valley are taking the same cue, gearing up for Valentine’s Day on Tuesday.
Throughout the country, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of flowers are sold and billions of dollars of chocolate are shipped every year. On average, Americans consumed 24.7 pounds of candy in 2010, though not all around the Valentine’s season, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About $375 million worth of flowers were sold in 2010, $17 million of that being roses.
Some of that business takes place locally as well, like at the El Centro florist shop, Cynthia’s Flower Connection. The business has been taking Valentine’s Day orders since Jan. 8, said owner Cynthia Derma. Now they’re very busy, running at full staff to get all the orders done and ready for delivery Tuesday.
Around this time of year it’s always good to order flowers in advance because it ensures they will arrive earlier in the day, she said. Those ordering should also know the address, apartment number and phone number of the person who will receive the flowers.
As of Friday there were about 100 orders at the local florist, and the store is preparing to stay open an hour later, until 6 p.m., and today as well, she said.
“(Giving flowers,) it’s the way to show somebody that you care and that you love them,” Derma said. “Even if it’s a best friend, you should send someone something that says you care.”
Sending flowers is also a way to say “I love you” if you can’t say it in person, she said. She’s gotten a few orders online from people in the military wanting to let their loved ones know that they are thinking of them.
“Give a smile. Send flowers. Let them know you care, and not just on Valentine’s,” she said, adding that some people have even cried when flowers were delivered because they had felt forgotten. “Every day should be a Valentine’s Day.”
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
