Company Flowers Talks Tackling COVID-19

“If I come to your shop, will there be anyone closer than six feet? Is everyone required to wear a mask?”

In recent months, that has become the first question asked of Company Flowers, rather than the usual “do you have any more of those lush pink roses with red tips that I love?”

Yes, COVID-19 has made a difference for Company Flowers, Arlington’s premiere flower shop on Lee Highway. Although the store has been open throughout the COVID-19 shutdown, no one aside from staff was allowed inside the shop until recently. As of the first of July, however, Company Flowers is open once again, under prevailing COVID-19 rules. ​

Company Flowers’ unique floral designs are well known throughout the greater Washington market. “When COVID-19 struck, we lost more than a third of our business” explained manager John Nicholson. “No weekend home parties, no servicing caterers, no lobby flowers for smaller offices, none of the usual weddings, and several customers who enjoyed weekly flowers decided to move far out of town.” Fortunately, the business has been able to continue with a reduced staff, benefiting by its location relatively close to the DC bridges, and is looking forward to resuming growth of new business activity in the County.    ​

The shop’s biggest drawback these days is the continued fear generated among customers about catching COVID-19. “Each day, at least two or three customers say they’ll come to our door but never venture inside” notes Nicholson. So long as that fear remains at high levels, he says, there’s no point to try to “drum up” corporate accounts from Arlington commerce because other businesses are confronting the same public fear. 

So, how can the Arlington community continue to support Company Flowers amidst these trying times? “Shop with us!” says Nicholson. The owners understand the real fear that shoppers have as COVID-19 continues to infect people across the country, and thus are continuing to allow customers to place orders online and by phone, offer contact free delivery, and are “ready to quell any anxieties with soothing floral designs.” Those who feel comfortable venturing indoors can expect to encounter safety precautions – required masks, social distancing rules, and a squirt 

of hand sanitizer upon entering. The Lee Highway business has lots to offer customers these days, from beautiful floral arrangements and greeting cards to classy reading glasses and quirky gifts for the special people in your life. ​​

Company Flowers has been located in North Arlington for nearly 25 years, first at Lee Heights and now among the Shops of Cherrydale. Originated by floral designer Marnie Nicholson and husband John, the business expanded with its assembled floral designers to create its signature “English Country Garden” designs, and as its floral reputation grew, so did its 3,000-sq-ft gift shop full of greeting cards, candles and much else (called a “quirky” collection by The Washington Post). ​

Company Flowers has been one of the stalwarts of the emerging Cherrydale commercial area. As other Arlington retail operations throughout the county have been shuttered by the COVID-19 crisis, the Cherrydale shops are growing from a local neighborhood shopping center into a broader Northern Virginia commercial enterprise. “Most everyone in Arlington and Falls Church knows about stores like Cherrydale Hardware,” Nicholson says; “Other Cherrydale shops are now becoming better known too!"