Florist Hopes Smiles Blossom With Petal It Forward In Point Pleasant

POINT PLEASANT, NJ — Sandra Cranwell knows how much flowers can brighten someone's day.

After more than 40 years of working in the florist industry, she has seen it many times over.

That's why her shop, Petal Street Flower Company, is taking part on Wednesday in Petal It Forward, a program sponsored by the Society of American Florists that is giving away bouquets to people as a way to spread joy and encourage people to give flowers.

"We will be picking people out at random and giving them two bouquets of flowers," Cranwell said, "one bouquet to the person and one for them to pay it forward and make someone else’s day."

"It's just a little act of kindness," she said.

Petal It Forward was first organized in 2015, with florists all over the country taking part, the organization said.

"It’s a powerful way to illustrate the positive health benefits of giving and receiving flowers," the organization said on its website. "Science has proven that flowers reduce stress and anxiety and make people happy."

Cranwell, who was born and raised in Point Pleasant, said she has been working with flowers since she was a child.

"Since I was 10 years old," she said Tuesday. After working for other florists in the area for more than 40 years, she decided to go into business for herself and in July became the owner of Petal Street Flower Company, which has been in business for 12 years.

"This (Point Pleasant) is the only place I'd purchase a business," Cranwell said. "It brought me back home."

On Wednesday, Cranwell said Petal Street Flower Company staff is collaborating with other businesses for the event. They are stopping in at Divi Tree coffee shop first thing in the morning, Fins restaurant around lunchtime and Lenny's Colonial Market later in the day.

Petal Street also has a surprise in the works in collaboration with the folks at Plethora, Cranwell said.

"We’re trying to promote the small businesses," Cranwell said.

She is posting updates on the flower shop's Instagram story for those who want to check out Petal It Forward.

"We just figured we’d join in and make Point Pleasant a little smileyer," Cranwell said.