PINELLAS COUNTY, fla — Two local small businesses are teaming up to spread love this valentines day. They are also hoping this collaboration will boost business. This comes after many businesses in Gulfport were hit hard during the hurricanes.
Now, Gulf Orchids and Culinary Empathy are working together to pair flowers and chocolate-covered strawberries together. This comes after both businesses saw a major dip in sales after the back-to-back hurricanes.
They said business has been hard since then, as the entire community is still recovering.
That is why they wanted to work together to provide a local option for people to shop this Valentine's Day. They say they are searching for strength in partnership.
“We are only successful if our neighbors are successful," James Higginbothan from Gulf Orchids said.
Higginbotham provides fresh-cut flowers and heart-shaped plants. James West from Culinary Empathy is pairing those plants with chocolate-covered strawberries. He tells me his love for food is what brought him through the hurricane recovery.
“It looked like things were at their bleakest… My passion for food is whats driven me,” West said.
As the entire community still recovers these two small businesses are finding strength in partnership.
"As we came through the hurricanes and cold winter, it's nice to be able to build each other up and partner," Higginbothan said.
Meanwhile, West echoed that thought. He said, “I think the cost of paradise is often the angst of what's next, but it's also that sense of community of let's ban together. Let's see what we can get done."
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary.
Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
South Florida lawmaker Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) says it may be time to do away with homeowners associations altogether, as more Floridians speak out about rising fees, costly lawsuits, and even arrests tied to HOA disputes. He said this week that he is considering filing legislation in the next session that would abolish HOAs statewide.
