With its low self-esteem and high urban blight, Hartford is the ultimate underdog city. Sad City Hartford documents the joys, sorrows and eccentricities of New England's Rising Star.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Hartford Business: The Flower Van



Nestled halfway up the Airport Road hill in the heart of South Hartford's industrial zone the Flower Van lends a welcome contrast to its surroundings.   In an area full of mechanics, repair shops, fast food restaurants, an airport, recycling plant, and a massive auto junkyard, the pop up tent filled with teddy bears and flowers stands out quite a bit.  The Flower Van is set up almost everyday and, as it has many times for Sad City, no doubt has been a lifesaver for those in need of a last minute gift.


While we aren't sure what (or if they have them) the exact hours are for the Flower Van, it appears as though it is open during the day, every day.  The Flower Guy is very friendly and told us that he has been operating in the area for 14 years.  We have made many purchases at the Flower Van over the years and often the Flower Guy will give us a few extra flowers as a bonus.

In our experience the flowers have always been fresh, a recent purchase of ours saw some of the flowers last almost three weeks.  The prices are excellent (we can't speak to the teddy bears as we've never inquired) though the traditional big flower holidays like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day see the usual market gouging that happens everywhere else. On these busy holidays what appears to be the Flower Guy's whole family can be found working.

On any given day the Flower Van will boast a selection of different colored roses that can be bought solo, as one color bouquets, or multi-colored bouquets.  They also sell bouquets of other types of flowers and bouquets mixed with roses and other flowers.

With their excellent prices and selections and close proximity to both 84 and 91(to get right on the highway and get those flowers back to mom) the Flower Van gets an enthusiastic recommendation from Sad City.




Ok, the hanging bagged bears are a little creepy

8 comments:

  1. There's sometimes a flower van at the corner of Prospect and Farmington and one in Old State House Square. It seems to be a popular business in Hartford.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good to know-I mistakenly assumed "amateur" would sell older flowers that would wilt immediately. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The flower van at Prospect and Farmington is actually run by a former UConn Prof. He's super nice, and always has a great selection for reasonably prices. He only seems to be there on Saturdays though, so good to know about the other vans around!

    ReplyDelete
  4. just what people need - cheap crap that they don't need instead of food - clothing - gasoline- insurance -rent money - shall I go on

    ReplyDelete
  5. Please continue, you sound like a happy, fun loving individual!

    ReplyDelete
  6. yeah man those poors spending all their money on flowers instead of necessities

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think anyone who wants to buy flowers should be required to earn at least a six figure salary. It's clearly the only way to ensure my tax dollars don't get spent on a hungry person who recently bought flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  8. "I think anyone who wants to buy flowers should be required to earn at least a six figure salary. It's clearly the only way to ensure my tax dollars don't get spent on a hungry person who recently bought flowers"

    Can we get Cotto on this?

    ReplyDelete