Tom Sakas: A Gentlemen’s Guide to Ordering Flowers

Want to win over a girl?  Keep your wife smiling?  Make your Mom cry with happiness? We went straight to the source, a third generation florist right here in DUMBO, Tom Sakas, the owner of the Gramercy Park Flower Shop.  “No guy likes the pressure, but I wouldn’t ignore Valentine’s Day… that could lead to sudden death,” said Tom.

What does Tom say about grabbing a bunch of flowers at the corner or ordering from 1-800 SOMETHING, “women know what that gift says, it says, hey I remembered – so get off my back.  That’s no good.  The goal is to make her feel special so she sweetens up.”

Tom, the third generation to run the century old Gramercy Park Flower Shop, has nearly thirty years experience selling flowers in the Big Apple.  We stopped by Gramercy Park Flower Shop’s headquarters at Adams and Water Streets in DUMBO to get his take on Valentine’s Day.

DO

1) Research helps.  What is her favorite color…other than grey and black?  Find a way to describe her style or ask her.  Is she natural, traditional, hip?  Tell my staff and you’ll get something designed just for her.

2) Not everyone can come up with a sonnet.  If you are stuck for words, we might be able to suggest something.  We are always listening out for a good line and get great ideas from our customers.

3) Buy the arrangement in a vase.  This way the flowers are properly cared for and it’s a complete gift.  She won’t have to fiddle with trimming, transferring and clean up.  Isn’t life too complicated already?

4) Buy local.  A neighborhood florist creates custom orders, will go the distance and is more likely to make good if something doesn’t go right.  Flowers are fragile and the less they travel, the better.

5) Check out your florist’s website first.  We categorize flowers at www.gramercyflowers.com in ways that make it easy to choose.  A little online shopping will narrow down your choices, even if you need to speak to someone on the phone to decide.

DON’T

1) She might tell you Valentine’s Day is no big deal, but don’t believe her.  She doesn’t want to be disappointed, but women keep all kinds of scores.  I have a clue about women and their opinions about receiving flowers; I have yet to meet a woman who doesn’t go out of her way to tell me she loves to get flowers.

2) Don’t be unprepared.  Find out a cross street, apartment number, company department and floor.  If you know exactly where it has to go, it can’t get lost.

3) Sometimes florists try to lead you in a direction and you shouldn’t resist.  When we make suggestions, we are trying to get you the best option for your wallet because we want you to come back next year.

4) This is important.  It’s optimal to call ahead of time.  A great florist can take your order in minutes or order through a website you trust.  Florists offer a personal service and make floral designs by hand – that takes time.  Also, stems do sell out. Order early and come away the hero.