Business Beat: Fragrantly frantic on Mother’s Day

When it comes to setting spending priorities in today’s tough economic times, it seems mum is right up there, judging by booming flower sales for the recent Mother’s Day.

“It was frantic,” said Jane Robinson, long-time owner of Mayflower Studio Florist. On that weekend, she had 10 staff and four vehicles dispatching an ocean of flowers that covered the huge floor of her Queen Street business.

“We had basically sold out of flowers Saturday morning, which has never really happened to us (before), so we had to shut down the flowers part of the website” to be sure of filling all the Sunday orders.

Things were also busy at Dirt Floral, on George Street.

“Mother’s Day was huge. It was probably a record-breaker for me,” said owner Bianca Nardella, who handled all the orders and deliveries herself. “Flowers are a bit of a luxury, but it’s because of that, people don’t mind spending money on something that’s a nice treat for their mothers.”

Explore Marlborough, whose team of guiding gurus is based at the Vines Village where they offer a wide variety of primarily cycling wine tours, has now opened a satellite office in Blenheim.

The office is located just steps away from the Marlborough Events Centre, Whitehaven Theatre, the Wine and Food Experience Marlborough … and a new hotel going up on the same block.

So it’s a strategic and savvy move by Explore Marlborough which hopes to grab the attention of the many visitors and tourists gravitating towards this area of town.

The Advice Nest, a new business billing itself as a one-stop shop for lending, insurance and wealth management services, has opened in Blenheim on the corner of Seymour and George Streets.

Paul Fuller, a mortgage adviser, owns the building and has been joined by fellow financial professionals Anna Corbin, of Henny Penny Insurance, and Paul O’Regan, founder and director of Everwise Wealth Partners.

Maria Gear and husband Alistair Gray, owners of central Blenheim gym PRshed Aiga, started the business in their garage in 2017. Maria, who is Samoan, explains the “PR” stands for “personal record” and Aiga means “family” in Samoan.

In recent years, the venture has morphed into a charitable trust, combining aspects of a traditional gym with a strong emphasis on giving back to the community and helping young people and others who may need guidance and support to reach their full health and wellbeing potential.

The gym, now firmly established in the basement area of the Alfred Taylor Centre, offers boxing, kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, cardio classes, self-defence, power lifting, plus strength and conditioning training, with coach Mike Beaumont running most of the classes.

After almost 26 years at the helm of Picton’s iconic foreshore eatery Le Café, Peter Schöni has announced he’ll be leaving at the end of next month.

Besides great coffee and food, plus stunning views of Queen Charlotte Sound, Le Café has become well known and appreciated over the years as a live music venue.

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