From flower arrangements and candles to food and clothing, Alford’s Flowers & Gifts has a lot to offer this holiday season, according to its owner Trisha Ray.
Ray, a second generation florist, has owned Alford’s for the last 42 years, and she said the business has been built around the community.
Sales this year have picked up from last year’s economic downturn, Ray said, adding that the store, which is located at 115 N. Sixth St., she is expecting the trend to continue.
“We’ve had a good fall so far and I’m looking foward to a great winter season,” she said.
Shipping had been a big issue nationally and Ray said it has plagued not only her store but every other business as well. Despite her concerns, she said the store is fully stocked with a variety of gift options.
Alford’s has candles, flowers, holiday decorations and plenty of locally themed items.
“We’ve got lots and lots of beautiful gifts this year,,” she said. “In particular in our candle lines. We carry Bridgewater, Archipelago, Vitivo, Swan Creek and Oxford candles. We also have a new shipment in Corksicles with coffee mugs, canteens, coolers and tumblers.”
Other items include pillows that are made in Mississippi, many featuring the names of cities including McComb, Summit, Hattiesburg, Vicksburg and Oxford.
“We have lots and lots of pillows for this area,” she said, adding that the pillows can even be custom ordered and be shipped within a couple of weeks. “We have a pillow that says ‘grandkids make life grand’ that you can list all of your grandchildren’s names on it and they will have it done, personalized and shipped to me within two weeks.”
Ray said she’s proud of her holiday-themed flower arrangements that come with items such as a candy cane, mug and spoon, stoneware cooking dish, snowman or Christmas-themed house decoration.
“We are the only flower shop in the area that buys and sells these,” she said. “They come out with a new one every year and we do real well with them.”
Alford’s flowers arrangements and gift selections can be ordered in store and online with same day delivery on most items. The store is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday.
