'A rush of emotions'

By Jacob Stock

The Cuero Record

While still settling in and getting accustomed to things, The Petal Express has continued to make a positive impression in the community. Opening their flower and boutique shop earlier this January, owners Adrian Alaniz and Aaron Franco have enjoyed their brief time in Cuero so far.

“We have met people here in Cuero that now we can’t see our lives without,” said Alaniz. “We opened our doors in January and it has been an absolute blessing that we came here. It has been more than we have asked for,” added Franco. 

With roots in Sinton, Texas, it was a visit to Cuero’s Christmas in the Park last holiday season that sparked the idea of rebranding the business here in Cuero. “Him [Adrian] being in business in Sinton for five years I was scared him leaving that community and not knowing [about things] and having to rebuild. We completely rebranded the company so we weren’t sure what to expect,” stated Franco.

After the recent tragedy in Uvalde at Robb Elementary school that left a total of 22 dead, Alaniz and Franco utilized their time and talents by finding a way to help the affected families. Shutting their store down for two days, Alaniz and Franco began roughly a 48-hour project that saw them create 22 casket sprays for each life lost and 3 memorial arrangments. The casket sprays take an estimate of 45 minutes to two hours to complete. With help from employees, Audrey and JoAnn, preparations and designing would begin. Alaniz Boutique and Flowers, Adrain’s mother’s shop in Sinton, also played a critical role in helping finish the designs. The next step was the hardest part, delivering and making the trip to Uvalde.

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