ORANGE PARK – Park Avenue Florist & Gift Shop is gearing up for the holiday season.

The longtime Orange Park staple, like many other florists and nurseries, has, unlike many small businesses, flourished during a year ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The holiday season is expected to be even more profitable for Park Avenue Florist this year. More people are sending plants and flowers since physical visiting is expected to be significantly reduced.

The Blanding Avenue location has been in business for 18 years.

“It has been blooming this year,” said manager Michelle McCleod, with a chuckle. “We have been very blessed. Everybody’s social distancing now with flowers.”

The Monday of Thanksgiving week is where McCleod expects things to pick up, even more, heading into the peak of the holidays.

The shop has several specials that will be available, such as FTD designs and Teleflora designs. They deliver all over the country as well as internationally.

“We deliver worldwide – we FTD and Teleflora. We have wire services. So if it’s going to California, you place your order today, we can have it out there tomorrow,” McCleod said.

“I’ve just started coming here,” said Orange Park’s Marlene Revella. “My parents and most of my family live up in Ohio, and obviously I won’t be going home for the holidays this year. So I decided to maybe send them a plant. But I came in and saw the different flower arrangements and plants, and I ended up being here for over an hour. The salespeople were so helpful and patient with me.

“I ended up deciding to send a plant and flowers. I think it’s something I’ll probably do again in the future. It’s not too expensive, and it’s a pretty timely gift to let someone know you’re thinking of them.”

McCleod says that the florist is doing mostly contactless deliveries and pickups on orders, as people are trying to maintain suggested health and safety protocols.

“Usually within 24 hours,” said McCleod when asked about the turnaround time of delivery and pickup orders. “That way, if they pick out something special, we can order it in. We have a wide variety on hand, so we can usually fill it [the order].” McCleod hasn’t seen any particular demographic doing most of the buying.

According to her, it’s across the board. Although, she says she’s seen more men than usual – doghouse buys, she calls them – assuming that quarantine has caused them to irritate the women in their lives.

“We’re doing more centerpieces right now, especially for Thanksgiving,” said McCleod. “Scented with candles, something festive for their holiday table. Christmas is usually about the same thing. We have ornaments in the specialty type containers as well.”