Every year on Mother’s Day, flower vendors adorn the streets of San Francisco’s Mission District with roses, tulips, chrysanthemums, and a mix of vibrant floral arrangements.
Mother’s Day holds special significance in the Mission, where Latinx mothers are honored not just once, but twice: On May 10 for mothers with ties to Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala, as well as on the second Sunday of May, following the U.S. tradition.
For vendors, the holiday represents one of the biggest days for flower sales of the year. Despite this, one vendor on the corner of Harrison Street said that sales have been noticeably lower this year. “In other years, people came to buy more constantly. Now a customer arrives every half hour or so.” They said they had better sales during this year’s Valentine’s Day, despite the rain. “I didn’t expect it to be so slow. Before even the cars stopped to buy. Now they don’t.”
On top of slower sales, another vendor said that individual customers were spending less compared to previous years. Rather than purchasing entire bouquets, for example, people were opting for one or two roses. “I think it’s the economy … they come and ask, and it becomes expensive for them.”
Mrs. Marisol, however, has a different experience. As a constant presence at the corner of Bryant and 24th Street, she said that although she noticed a decrease in sales, her regular customers continued to support her. She said she has managed to sell much of her inventory since Friday, and expected another good sales day Sunday. “I’m still confident I can sell everything.”
At a vendor pop-up organized by the Mission Street Vendors Association on Mission and Capp Streets, Mr. José from Juanita’s Flowers said he also had a good day of sales. He was among other vendors who normally sell in La Placita and are fighting to return to selling along the bustling-but-troubled Mission Street. He said the pop-up location had a great customer turnout compared to the slow foot traffic at La Placita. “Here I am visible, I wish it could be like this all year round.”
Note: Street vendors without a permit to sell asked to not be identified in this story.
