For today’s Q&A with a New Canaan business owner, we talk to Madeline Macanka, owner of Bon Fleur. Macanka has owned the East Avenue floral boutique for nearly 20 years, and it’s been operating in town for more than a quarter-century. She’s in from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, urging customers to use the Bon Fleur website to place orders, and pick up when possible.
Here’s our exchange.
New Canaanite: How are you faring?
Madeline Macanka: It’s Ok. I find that people are wanting to send flowers a little more now, because they cant see their friends and family for the milestone events. And even just ‘I miss you.’ I found that Easter was busier than I thought it was going to be. I had a lot of ‘Sorry we can’t be together but here are flowers to make you feel loved.’ Business is OK. It’s not what used to be, but I’m not complaining. It’s still OK for now.
We don’t know how long the restrictions will be in place. With that said, what is your read now on the ability of Bon Fleur to outlast the crisis?
I think I’ll be fine. I really do. I think because we have been such longstanding business with a very good reputation, we will be fine. I just have to modify things. Watch the money, the budget. Just keep an eye on the dollars. And I think we’ll be fine. And the landlord has been flexible, so that is very helpful, too, so I can still pay my bills somewhat on time. I think we’ll be fine.
What are you thinking as Mother’s Day approaches? I assume that’s usually a big one for you.
It is. It’s a really big one. I am thinking it will still be a pretty busy holiday just because, like I said, we cannot see our friends and aunts and grandmothers and mothers. Because we can’t really see them. We are social distancing. We can [see them], but we can’t. So I think it’s still going to be a pretty busy holiday. I have got a few Mother’s Day orders already. People are planning ahead for this.
What have been your steady best-sellers, holidays aside?
Best-selling items are definitely a nice chunky arrangement with flowers in a vase, with hydrangeas and spring-like flowers like tulips and ranunculus and hyacinths. And soft pretty pastel colors seems to be popular.
What is your message for customers?
Order early. And if you live in New Canaan, try to pick the flowers up a couple of days before Mother’s Day, just so I can reserve the delivery spots, because I don’t have many drivers this time for the people who are truly unable to get flowers physically to the people they want. Place orders online because there will be a pickup option, it will just be easier that way so I don’t get so inundated with deliveries. And it will be a safe environment to pick up, all prepared in advance. I will make sure it’s very organized.