FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Owner of the beloved floral boutique, JJ's Flower Shop, Sarah Donjuan has had a last year and a half.
After landing a prime store front location in Ponce City Market within months of launching her floral business, Sarah Donjuan never thought she'd be having to figure out where her business fit among a sea of orders concerning COVID-19.
"It's confusing being in the gray area. A lot of the orders name restaurants and hair salons, but the floral business is kind this niche market that falls in the unknown area," explains Donjuan.
The small business owner has closed and opened operations multiple times over the last month due to supplier issues and concerns over whether she was abiding by the stay at home order correctly.
The floral shop stopped selling flowers from its storefront mid March, when it's landlord, Ponce City Market announced it would be closing shop. Following the building closure, JJ's Flower Shop focused on no contact deliveries until their supplier had to shut down due to the city of Atlanta's stay at home order.
Shortly after, the flower boutique connected with another wholesaler that would allow them to re-open deliveries. Within days of that announcement, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp initiated the 'shelter in place' order for the state which lead to Donjuan's decision to completely halt operations.
The entrepreneur said she was "honestly just confused by it all" and shut down out of a precaution to adhere to the order. That's when she decided the only way to find clarity was to reach out to the Governor's office directly.
"The orders talk about essential businesses and what you can and can't do as a business owner, and it's just tough to decipher it all," explained Donjuan.
COVID-19 confusion for small business
"With all the rules and mandates changing daily, we always want to be sure we are in regulation, so we’ve been a little all over the place," Donjuan posted to her business's Facebook page.
Three weeks after reaching out, Donjuan announced on Friday that she had received confirmation that her business was considered essential and allowed to offer contact-free deliveries.
While Donjuan admits their selection is limited at the moment, she is just happy to be bringing joy with flowers.
"One of the best parts about our business is being able to bring happiness to people, and I think that's all anyone needs right now," added Donjuan.
To order, support, and see more from JJ's Flower Shop, click here.
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