Iowans “Grow Love, Not Costs” for local small businesses this Valentine’s Day

Last night, Iowans gathered in Des Moines to arrange flower bouquets to deliver to small businesses that have been facing rising costs due to tariffs. 

Fairness for Iowa partnered with Wildflower, a Des Moines–based florist, to deliver bouquets to small businesses on Valentine’s Day. The bouquets included tags with messages of solidarity and shared frustrations over rising costs caused by tariffs that Representative Nunn has supported despite the hit to small businesses and working Iowans’ pocketbooks. 

Jen Sinkler, the creative director with Progress Iowa, said that the flowers were well received by local business owners. 

“It was exciting for a lot of the businesses to receive a special Valentine,” Sinkler said. “They certainly haven’t been getting their flowers from their representatives in Congress and share the same frustrations many consumers feel over rising costs.” 

“Our business took a hit last year. The roses aren’t costing what they used to,” Alex Jimenez, manager of Wildflower at 27th and Ingersoll in Des Moines said.“It’s been hard to educate buyers on why prices are rising in such a short amount of time. Representative Nunn needs to side with Iowans instead of billionaires. ”

Hunter Gillum, co-owner of Beaverdale Books, said that while book prices are staying stable, other goods they sell have seen increases. 

“We’ve had to raise the price on things like bookmarks and stickers, which are usually very popular,” Gillum said. “At a higher price, not as many people end up purchasing those things and it makes its mark.”