Maple Grove Business: Mother’s Day ‘Busiest Week of the Year’
Whether it’s gifts or flowers or a nice meal, this is the weekend where moms are treated to something special.
For some local businesses, Mother’s Day is, in fact, the busiest time of the year. Just ask Anna Donato-Ghani, the longtime owner of Donato’s Floral in Maple Grove.
“It surpasses Valentine’s week, because Mother’s Day is more of an all week thing,” said Donato-Ghani. “Valentine’s is kinda like, it hits that day. But you can go see your mother, you know, starting the first two weeks of May and even after.”
With a week like this, it’s all hands on deck, as Donato-Ghani and her team works feverishly to arrange several hundred bouquets that will eventually go into the hands of that special someone.
“There’s nothing like it,” Donato-Ghani said. “They say that you remember when you receive flowers because it’s such a special gift.”
Anna Donato-Ghani organizes flowers at Donato’s Floral in Maple Grove.
Mother’s Day Impact on Restaurants
When it comes to someone like mom, there’s flowers and there’s food.
“Yeah, it’s the busiest day of the year for us,” said Chris Lodin, general manager of the 50’s Grill in Brooklyn Center.
For the 50’s Grill, nothing beats Mother’s Day. That’s why reservations are strongly recommended, because they expect the restaurant to be jam packed for the entire day.
“I have about four times the amount of staff that I normally have on a normal day, including in the kitchen and in the bakery, so we’re ready,” Lodin said.
After all, what better way to express your love for the person who gave you life than by letting someone else cook for her.
“Mom having a break at home might be good,” Lodin said. “I mean, come in and get some homemade scratch food.”
Back at Donato’s Floral, the work will continue all weekend long. And it’s work that’s possible because people have chosen to shop local.
“We have hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people walking around and being a billboard for us,” said Donato-Ghani. “And we really appreciate it.”
For the 50’s Grill in Brooklyn Center, Mother’s Day is their busiest day of the entire year.
Related: Longtime 50’s Grill General Manager Retiring
