Love is in the air, especially in downtown Los Angeles at the California Flower Mall, where hundreds rushed to buy their loved ones bouquets and other floral arrangements on Valentine’s Day.
KTLA 5’s Eric Spillman spoke with lovebirds at the Flower Mall throughout Wednesday morning asking them pertinent questions, such as who they are buying their flowers for, what type of flowers they bought and what they plan on doing with their special person on the special day.
“I paid $120 for [this bouquet] and this is a yearly thing for me,” said Justin Smalls, who told Spillman that he woke up at 2:30 a.m. to buy flowers. “I’ve been down here for about 45 minutes walking around and found something that I actually like, so I hope my wife likes it too.”
In an incredible gesture of dedication, a father and stepson from Palmdale drove over an hour to get to DTLA by 6 a.m. to get flowers for the ones they love the most.
“We’re here to get flowers to make the women in our life happy,” said Angel, the stepson. “There will be no smiles today if you don’t get any flowers.”
While Spillman noticed that it was mostly men out buying flowers for their special people, women were seen getting in on the act too.
“I’m buying flowers for my mom, my dad and my boyfriend…who bought me flowers this morning and gave them to me on his way to work,” a woman named Amanda said, adding that she felt it was only right to reciprocate. “I think men deserve their flowers…it’s a little [out of the ordinary] or taboo but they deserve their flowers…maybe not as much as women, but it’s nice to show a little bit of appreciation, right?”
Some shoppers were slightly dismayed by the prices they encountered at the Flower Mall, but they didn’t let money get in the way of love.
“It’s the time to spend a little more…prices are a little bit up but it’s worth it if you want to have a good time today,” said Ernesto Sanchez, who bought a bouquet he described as “beautiful, just like [his] lady.”
Most customers and Flower Mall employees believe that the best deals – whether it be a single bouquet or large arrangement – might be found all day Wednesday at the corner of 8th and San Pedro streets.
“This is our Super Bowl Sunday for lovers,” said California Flower Mall owner Mark Chatoff. “When buying direct from the source, you’re going to pay less…depending on the size and quality, you’re going to get wholesale prices.”
More information on the California Flower Mall, including parking instructions and mall hours, can be found here.
