Floral arrangements have taken on a new meaning for Debi McGlinn over the past year.
They remain a symbol of the cheer and happiness her business, Debi’s Designs in South Elgin, strives for, she said, as well as a small reprieve from the loss, pain and loneliness many have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It takes the mind away from that COVID,” McGlinn said. “That’s why I’m here. I feel this business, this industry was a major plus to this pandemic because it helps to take away from that sorrow. It’s very uplifting, very moving.”
She’s experienced some of those feelings herself, McGlinn said. Sales are down at her 1145 W. Spring St. business because almost all weddings, proms and social gatherings were canceled in 2020. Even the flowers usually ordered for funerals and memorial services fell off when customers were forced to hold smaller, safer services or opted to postpone them until families and friends could gather again, she said.
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The hard part are those orders meant to offer comfort, McGlinn said.
“Business is more consistent with daily orders,” McGlinn said. “And a lot of these orders are because of loss. For every one order for a birthday, I will take four for loss — ‘Sorry for your loss, sorry for your loss.’
“Instead of working 70 to 75 hours a week, I’m working a lot more, a lot longer hours,” she said. “And then there are the facts and worries of the business. You always have that high stress level.”
McGlinn, who’s worked in the floral industry for 45 years, is thankful for her customers. The messages she’s received — “We want you to survive,” “We love your flowers” — have kept her moving forward, she said.
“It’s been tough, but we’re going to make it,” McGlinn said.