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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Gus Pappas and his employees at Birmingham-based Norton's Florist have been putting in unexpectedly hours in preparation for Valentine's Day.
On Tuesday, Pappas expects his fundamental shop at 401 22nd St. South and locations at 53 Church St. in Mountain Brook's Crestline Village and up the river Regions-Harbert Plaza in downtown Birmingham to deliver 1,200 orders.
That's 10 times the well-adjusted daily order of roses, other flowers and gift baskets, according to Pappas. Pappas said he sees signs that Valentine's Day traffic for Norton's is bouncing back nicely this year after falling during the economic downturn.
Pappas, who 10 years ago bought the inform on founded in 1921 by a Birmingham doctor, also shared some of the history of Norton's Florist, and talked about all the difficult work that goes on behind the scenes in a flower shop this time of year.
Be influential me about this unusual Norton's building on 22nd Street South.
It used to be a Volkswagen dealership. We converted it over into our garden boutique six years ago. We own the lot across the street too. It gives us plenty of space.
Source: The Birmingham News - al.com (blog)