Carrie Feistner

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about what to get that important significant other. Since flowers usually come to mind, here’s the best of the best flower shops in Brookings.

Valentine’s Day Specials

If you want to buy some cutesy Valentine’s Day things, Flowers On Main would be the best place to go in my opinion. They have a full section of red-and-white items like teddy bears (some will even hold a rose), coffee mugs and plants with a live, red beta swimming in the vase.

If you’re looking for something more intimate and unique for that special one, check out the Blooming Villa. This store has a special love section with gifts for anyone like “Chocolate Voodoo Dolls,” “Body Frosting” and a game of “Strip Chocolate.” Enough said.

Flower Selection

In terms of overall, largest number and variety of live flowers, Hy-Vee Floral Department and Sixth Street Florist have it. Hy-Vee has a large cooler of various kinds, colors and prices of flowers. They also offer some potted plants and bouquets that are reasonably priced. Six Street Florist has coolers with a variety of flowers and colors also. They have many kinds of flowers in different colors.

Hours Open

Without surprise, Hy-Vee Floral Department wins this category easily. This place stays open until 9 p.m. most nights, easily surpassing the other flower shops that stay open usually until 6 p.m. So, if you decide to get flowers later in the evening on a whim, this would be the spot to go.

Cost

This time of year, I found the costs are about the same no matter where you go. A rose will typically be about $4-5.

Friendliness

I was really amazed with the friendliness of two flower shops. Flowers On Main and Blooming Villa both had welcoming people that were able to help if needed.

Other Items Sold

For the most variety of gift items other than flowers, Sixth Street Florist has a huge selection. They have a store full of items like Italian Charm Bracelets, collectables, teddy bears, angels, pictures, candles and lotions.

Best of Brookings

To decide the best, it depends on what you really want. I really liked the friendliness and variety at Blooming Villa and thought it would be a great place to shop. The Hy-Vee Floral Department has the best hours and the biggest selection, and would be handy if you needed to pick up some groceries anyway. Multi-tasking is a good thing.