Blooming Thoughts

New York City is filled with choices.  Everything you need or want is within the city limits.  Some would say NYC was Al Gore’s model of what he envisioned the internet to be; endless choices within minutes.  Restaurateurs are keenly aware of the competitiveness of the NYC restaurant market.  In view of this market saturation, the finest restaurants in NYC have long since fused culinary arts and interior design with the art of floral design to deliver a dining experience worthy of the discerning customer’s dollar.

Starbright’s unparalleled service and award winning designers have proudly assisted some of the finest restaurants in New York City in delivering a memorable dining experience.  No matter what the décor, Starbright’s team is able to complement it with floral designs.  Our efforts have led to many accolades from our clientele. We were recently thrilled to be mentioned as the go to florist for the restaurant industry by 4Q Consulting, LLC.  4Q Consulting is a distinguished restaurant consulting company based in NYC.  Such an honorable mention by a recognized authority in the industry is truly high praise.  I’ve included the full text of the 4Q’s blog piece as an informational piece for all our restaurant clientele.  Here it is:

Our clients often ask us if they should have fresh flowers in their restaurants and cited their budget as a reason to forgo them.  Fresh flowers that complement your restaurant’s décor and color scheme will instill a warm, welcoming, and hospitable environment. Placing a small, artistically-made arrangement of fresh flowers on each table can raise your diners’ spirits and make them feel welcome, which in turn can help drive repeat business, especially for your local clientele.

The expense of fresh flowers can be mitigated if they are if managed and handled correctly to extend their use.  Here are some tips to manage the cost of your floral arrangements:

Choose Wisely – Choosing hearty flowers that last relatively long will be most cost effective. For example when watered regularly, flowers such as hydrangeas and chrysanthemums can last five to seven days. While other flowers might look pretty, replacing them every two or three days can get costly. Work with your florist to select bunches that will bloom, as these can live for up to two weeks if cared for.

Keep Arrangements Simple and in Line with your Overall Décor – Choosing a suitable vase and flower arrangement will depend on your restaurant’s design and theme. If your budget is limited keep it simple:  a single stem can go a long way.  For instance Cymbidium Orchids come in a variety of colors and can compliment your color palette.

Maintenance – Simple maintenance will help to extend usability. Remove any wilting or discolored flowers as the buds start to blossom.  Add water to the vases every day to ensure a fresh supply of nutrients. When not in use, store the flower arrangements in the fridge.  Work with your florist on how to make your flowers last even longer.  Some florists suggest using a flower preservative or placing two drops of bleach into the water to preserve the petals and to prevent bacteria growth; check with your florist as methods depend on flower type.

Build a Relationship with your Local Florist – Build a rapport with your florist.  When you have a strong working relationship with a vendor they are more likely to work with you on price, advise you of new stock or product and perhaps offer services not normally available (i.e. on-site servicing of arrangements, changing out vases, etc.).  When you have a friendly rapport with your florist, you will receive a higher level of service.  Once this relationship is established, the local florist is much more likely to work with you on payment terms, recommend your restaurant to their clients, and be open to cross marketing and promotions.

Fresh Flowers in your restaurant need not be expensive if done properly and can even help drive business.  Cut fresh flowers can set you apart from your competition, drive repeat business and give you opportunity establish a beneficial vendor partner.