LOS ANGELES, CA — Learn how to buy discount Mother's Day and Dia de las Madres flowers for up to 70% off retail and online prices. Do it yourself Mother's Day flower shoppers feel the love for mom tingling as their pockets are jingling with big savings on Mother's Day roses, flowers and plant gifts available round the clock at California Flower Mall – the Downtown Los Angeles San Pedro St. flower market is open this Friday from 4am-11pm and all night Saturday from 4am until 8pm Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8.
- Mother's Day, Latin American Mother's Day and Fiesta Broadway, the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the U.S., converge in downtown LA this weekend.
- "Many in the Southern California Latin American community celebrate Dia de las Madres and Cinco de Mayo this weekend because it's easier for families to gather on the weekend rather than a week day," says Gersain Bustos, Owner of Growers Direct Flowers.
- "District wide, flower suppliers here collectively receive shipments of about 10-12 million flowers every day this week to meet Southern California's demand for wholesale and discount flowers," Bustos says.
- Mother's Day is the second biggest gift giving holiday of the year after the winter holidays and flowers top Mother's Day gift lists, according to the National Retailers Federation of Retailers.
Mark Chatoff, Owner of California Flower Mall on San Pedro and San Julian St., clarifies the dynamics of LA's unique floral hub — the largest flower district in the U.S. "The LA flower district has grown in the past six years. For 85 years, the local floral trade was dominated by two large markets on Wall Street. But the industry has pushed out beyond its historical confines, stunningly transforming our industrial neighborhood in the LA Fashion District, it now spans eight blocks. The expanded flower district is:
- A colorful urban destination lush with miles of flower market aisles and sidewalks bursting with millions of fresh flowers that dazzle the senses.
- Paradise for procrastinators buying last minute Mother's Day blooms.
- DIY way to stretch Mother's Day flower gift budgets.
- Open free to the general public, and
- California Flower Mall is the only downtown LA flower market in the Flower District open late evening hours weekdays and all night before Mother's Day, Dia de las Madres and Fiesta Broadway supplying floral professionals and the public with wholesale and discount flowers.
It's perfect for budget-minded shoppers keeping Mother's Day spending in check and last minute shoppers — especially husbands. Check California Flower Mall's website for tips on how to make DIY $5 – $10 gifts using 2011 Mother's Day flower and design trends that look like you spent $70 – $100." Chatoff says, "We also have gorgeous readymade bouquets and floral arrangements available at deep discount prices so husbands that forgot to call the florist won't come home empty handed."
Hilda Jimenez, CFM Operations Manager, offers these DIY insider tips to shop the Los Angeles Flower District like a floral trade pro:
- Arrive Early — Shop before 7am for the best deals, selection and parking. Farm shipments arrive around 4am, by 5:00am California Flower Mall is buzzing. Mother's Day weekend is the busiest wholesale flower holiday of the year. Beat traffic and congestion — visit after work or later in the evening.
- Bargain — Don't accept the first price offered. Negotiate — it's an accepted business custom.
- Plan A Weekend Route — To San Pedro Street to avoid the 24 block Fiesta Broadway street closures between Broadway and Main from Temple to 4th Street.
- Thrifty Favorites — Every flower is beautiful so you can't make a mistake. Bunches of Gerberas, carnations, ranunculus (a rose substitute) and hydrangeas are here for $3 – $6. Red rose bouquets are a Latin American Mother's Day tradition and prices are good. Colors (roses in colors other than red) are 30 – 40% higher because floods in Columbia and Ecuador resulted in lower crop production.
- Relax — If DIY is not your style or you're on a tight schedule, pre-made bouquets and arrangements are $15 and up.
- Bring Cash — Onsite ATMs are also available.
- Closeouts — Wholesalers slash prices to clear flower inventory late Sunday. It's hard to predict what time prices drop but bargain bud hunters that wait will get the best buys, though crowds are thick and some choices may be sold out.
"It's easy to delight all the moms in your life and celebrate Cinco de Mayo too. Make a date with your mom, grandmother, sister and sweetheart to let them select their own flowers at California Flower Mall. Visit us on Friday or Saturday evening or after Fiesta Broadway on Sunday," Jimenez adds, "We'll be open for you — Feliz Dia de las Madres!"
About CFM
The LA Flower District California Flower Mall at 825 San Pedro and 824 San Julian between 8th and 9th Streets is a premier 45,000sf wholesale flower market in the eight-block Downtown LA Flower District.
Mark Chatoff is Owner and President of The Los Angeles Flower District California Flower Mall, a founding member of the Downtown Los Angeles Property Owners Association and Chairman of The Fashion District Business Improvement District.
Source: The LA Flower District California Flower Mall