It wasn’t long into an 18‑year relationship with a Northern New Jersey ShopRite when the owner came to Joseph and Maria Santos with a big ask: Could they help make ShopRite the leading florist across all of its New Jersey locations?
Of course, Joseph Santos said.
He understood how much flowers can elevate an experience — especially when they are presented the right way. And he believed that with hard work and dedication, he and his wife could deliver.
What he didn’t see coming was a pandemic.
Single‑purchase sales plummeted. Corporate events came to a halt. Business orders all but disappeared.
But the belief that hard work, paired with a quality product, could conquer obstacles did not fade.
Instead of pulling back, Joseph and Maria Santos decided to branch out on their own. They opened Santos Flowers in Garfield, followed by locations in Fair Lawn and Clifton. Today, the business employs nearly three dozen people, with staff members able to assist customers in both English and Spanish.
While retail sales remain important, corporate work and business events have increasingly driven growth.
That was evident this week, when floral arrangements from Santos Flowers were on full display at two high‑profile events: The Art of Being a Modern Latina on Thursday and BINJE’s Best: Top Women in Business on Wednesday.
At both events, the arrangements drew attention — and praise.
Joseph Santos said joining the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce helped open doors to corporate clients and business leaders, providing access that accelerated growth.
“Getting exposure to businesses and showing them what we can do has really helped us,” Santos said while standing behind a display table at the Modern Latina event. “Now, people know our name.”
The flowers at the BINJE’s Best event — bouquets placed on nearly three dozen tables — were quickly scooped up by attendees once the program concluded.
Joseph and Maria Santos said they were thrilled by the response and wanted customers to know that no order is too small — and delivery is always free, anywhere in New Jersey.
“If you have an event in Atlantic City, just let us know,” Santos said. “We’ll be there.”
