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Volume 104 • Number 31 • Friday, February 14, 2014 • PO Box 188 • 111 E. Jenkins • Maryville, MO
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Design firm presents ideas for South Main By JIM FALL
Executive editor
The City of Maryville moved a step closer to resolving enduring problems with traffic flow along South Main Street Thursday as city officials heard the second of two presentations for improvements to the city’s major north-south corridor. John Chamberlin, director of engineering for SK Design Group Inc., of Overland Park, Kan., and Mehrdad Givechi, managing principal of MGineering Solutions from Lawrence, Kan., explained their proposal to study and recommend solutions to alleviate as much congestion as possible along the busy route. As was the case with a similar presentation Wednesday from BHCRhodes of Overland Park, Kan., and RDG Design & Planning of Omaha, Mayor
Jim Fall, Councilman Glenn Jonagan, City Manager Greg McDanel, Assistant City Manager Ryan Heiland and Public Works Director C.E. Goodall represented the city. City Street Superintendent Jay Cacek, who had attended Wednesday’s session, was unable to be at City Hall Thursday. Chamberlin cited his extensive background in traffic situations and his firm’s recent associations with Maryville, including the reconstruction of South Munn Avenue last year and the about-to-be-undertaken Fourth Street corridor to link Maryville’s Courthouse Square with the main entrance to Northwest Missouri State University near the intersection of Fourth and Dunn streets. Chamberlin explained the several aspects of his firm’s anticipated approach
JIM FALL/DAILY FORUM
The ‘South’ Main event
John Chamberlin of SK Design Group Inc., Overland Park, Kan., refers to one of three conceptual design charts his firm used in connection with its presentation to Maryville city officials Thursday related to possible changes along South Main Street. SK Design is one of two engineering and design firms being considered to develop a new plan for the city’s main north-south route. to remedying various traffic problems that currently exist. In addition to concentrating on the section of South Main from its intersection
with South Avenue south to the Route V-South Hills Drive intersection, the SK team will also examine a potential “feeder roadway plan that would make sense
for the entire area,” Chamberlin said. “The network outside the corridor is critical,” Givechi said. “We need to understand the importance of
marrying the two together.” The engineers emphasized the importance of community input, and said they would plan to conduct
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Saying ‘I love you’ with flowers
DAILY FORUM PHOTOS BY KEVIN BIRDSELL
Above: Scores of floral arrangements were being prepared this week in preparation for Valentine’s Day, traditionally one of the busiest days of the year for local florists. Despite a high-volume of pre-orders, last-minute shopping still rules when it comes to saying it with flowers. Right: Hy-Vee floral designer Guy Ebersole puts together an arrangement Thursday morning. Valentine’s Day means big business for local flower shops.
Flower business blooms on Valentine’s Day By KEVIN BIRDSELL Staff writer
Valentine’s Day is here, which means that flowers are flying off the shelves. Some people have been ready to express their romantic feelings for a while, pre-ordering flowers days or weeks in advance. But Vanessa Peter, the new owner of Bittersweet Floral & Gifts in Maryville, said walk-in business rules. Peter said about 60-percent of her Valentine’s Day business comes from walk-ins. Keitha Clapp of Maryville Flo-
rist said that walk-ins account for an even higher percentage of Valentine’s sales, about 70 percent. Same goes for Hy-Vee. “Ordering ahead, we probably have 75 to 100 (customers),” said Hy-Vee Floral Manager Cindy White. “On Valentine’s Day we have probably twice that many.” Requests for deliveries run along the same lines. “Delivery numbers run right along the same lines with preorders,” Peter said. “Pre-orders usually request delivery, and most walk-ins just pick the flowers up and take them with them.” Clapp also said that most of her
deliveries serve customers who order ahead of time. However, deliveries and walkins “are even” at Hy-Vee, White said. “We keep track of that every year.” She added that the floral department’s Valentine’s Day sales alone equal its normal volume during an average month. Maryville Florist also experiences a big spike in sales on Valentine’s Day, and Clapp said 25 to 30 percent of her yearly transactions come at this time of year. Peter said Valentine’s Day at Bittersweet accounts for 60 to 65 percent of yearly sales.
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While flowers are the big sellers, arrangements featuring chocolate and other kinds of candy have also become popular. “Our sweetness bouquet, all year around, has been a good seller,” White said. “There’s always been chocolates to go with flowers on Valentine’s Day. I would say the older generation will pick up a box of chocolates for their sweetheart, while the younger generation will get a smaller (amount) of chocolates to go with their flowers. I feel that it’s more of an age difference.” Another factor is what day of the week Valentine’s Day falls
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on. “If it falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday, those are better days for florists,” Clapp said. “If it falls on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, sales for florists go down a little. Restaurants and hotels most likely increase some as people go out to eat or on a getaway.” Forgetfulness apparently boosts business as well, since flower sales usually continue strong the day after the holiday proper. “That’s another big day. We have at least 40 deliveries the day after,” White said.
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