Roses! Thorns! Leaves! Everywhere! How does a florist prepare for one of their biggest days of the year? For Kathy Cormier of Maynard’s The Flower Pot, preparations for Valentine’s Day started in early January. She has already pre booked 2,000 roses and expects to do between 150 to 200 deliveries on Valentine’s Day. It’s a lot of work organizing five delivery drivers and staff working out of the basement next door and four others in the shop at 46 Main Street.

Kathy, when asked how she prepares for Valentine’s Day, said, “Years of practice. Each year gets easier. I can remember crying the first few years. It is a lot of hours and a lot of work. In addition to making the arrangements, I am answering the phone, monitoring the deliveries, answering questions and helping/saying hi to everyone who comes in. We started putting out food for the customers as I truly believe that no one will be upset to wait a few minutes if you give them something to eat. I have so many regular customers that it is also fun to see them.”

Kathy has had The Flower Pot now for 25 years. “I had worked in restaurants my whole life and became burned out and needed a change,” Kathy said. “Back then my ex sister in law had bought what was known as Stewart’s Florist (located where I am) and I went to work for her. A few years later under a different owner it was put up for sale and I figured, why not? I knew it had potential if I worked hard, renamed it and so it began

“Throughout the years, I was offered opportunities to move my shop to a different town. I just could not do it. Maynard has become my home. I love everything about it. Twelve years ago my daughter and I moved to town. She went through all 12 years of school here in town. After 25 years, I have seen and shared so much with my customers and the town. I have celebrated and grieved with people. I have done weddings for kids I watched grow up. When you become part of this community, you get totally sucked in. There is nowhere else I could imagine having my shop,” Kathy said.

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it, so don’t forget to plan ahead like Kathy is doing!