Local shops embrace Mother's Day rush

May 10—As the work week ends for many in St. Joseph, the race for a Mother's Day gift begins for those who haven't had time to shop.

Local shops have already felt an increase in business as children and spouses look for the right gift. The phones have been ringing off the hook at Garden Gate Flowers at 202 S. Eighth St. for the last week.

"The orders start trickling in the Sunday before," Owner Stacy Fisher said. "But we are just a few days prior now, and it is hot and heavy."

Garden Gate Flowers has fulfilled hundreds of orders this week. Flowers are often a reliable option for Mother's Day, and Fisher said many people go for roses, but she suggests getting more creative.

"If you do a mixed arrangement that has a lot of different types of florals within it, it makes it a lot more interesting and a lot more fun," she said.

Anyone looking for gift inspiration may also visit boutiques like Narrative at 2702 Ashland Ave. The gift shop has pieces from 27 local artists and crafters in stock.

"We have a little bit of everything, so any kind of hobby that your mom is into, we probably have something that goes with it," Manager Madison McKinley said. "If you just come and ask, we can help you find it."

Shea Henderson came from Kansas City to shop at Narrative with her mother, Mary Workman. They went the nontraditional route by celebrating Mother's Day earlier and focusing on quality time.

"We've gotten together a couple of days before and had some breakfast at some places that are local and some shops that are local," Henderson said. "She'll kind of point my car in the right direction, and we get to do some fun shopping together."

Workman lives in St. Joseph, and even though she enjoys when her daughter joins her on shopping trips, a good Mother's Day goes beyond the gifts.

"The point is the time together and the experiences," Workman said. "And I like having her see some things that I enjoy in St. Joe."