Valentine's business is blooming in EP

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Some of the busiest shops across Rhode Island on Tuesday were positively blooming. Valentine's Day makes up a big chunk of the yearly sales for many florists, as Carousel Flowers in East Providence showed Eyewitness News.

The phones wouldn't stop ringing Tuesday morning. And men were lined up -- to fill that last-minute order.

Owner Diane Prengaman just bought Carousel Flowers last month. It's the first time she's experienced the heart-filled rush: "The orders keep coming in and coming in!"

"We'll do our very, very best," one of her staff told an anxious caller. There are just three of them in the shop, and Monday, they all worked from very early until very late. They'll arrange more than a hundred bouquets by the end of Tuesday.

Naturally, one particular color is king -- or queen. "Red is the love flower, so red is the popular one."

It's second only to Mother's Day in terms of being busy. But judging by the stream of male customers, the holiday this year got just plain last-minute.

David Mambro said grabbing the flowers on the day of is just more pragmatic. "It's just easier that way... instead of taking them home at night... Where am I going to hide them?"

Relationships with longevity were represented in Prengaman's orders this year -- and maybe not as long-lasting, in the case of a man who called her back Tuesday morning: "He ordered [flowers] yesterday -- and wanted to cancel them today. So, I don't know what that meant!... I didn't ask!"

The frequently asked question down the phone lines: "Am I too late?" -- generally got an answer prompting a big sigh of relief.

Still, delivery in time for a Valentine's dinner -- or perhaps a different type of rendezvous? -- is getting doubtful, as of 1 p.m. Tuesday. But, many florists are open late on Valentine's Day for those who need a last minute pick-up.