Mother’s Day weekend started with shattered glass instead of roses at Everest Florist & Gifts in North Highlands, after thieves smashed a 24-hour floral vending machine in the predawn hours and left the family-run shop scrambling to protect refrigerated bouquets and finish holiday orders. Owners say the hit could not have come at a worse time for a small florist that leans on weekend and late-night sales.
Surveillance Shows Shattered Glass And Cooling System Damage
Surveillance footage captured the sound of glass breaking as someone forced their way into the vending unit, which the shop had installed in February to sell bouquets after hours, according to KCRA. The station reported that the unit’s specialized double-pane glass and built-in cooling system were damaged, and owner Daniil Lapatski put the repair bill at roughly $1,500. "It's devastating," Lapatski told the station, as he and his family rushed to salvage as many arrangements as they could.
Owners Say One Unit Smashed, Another Stolen
Lapatski told FOX40 that the damage went beyond a single machine. Thieves smashed one vending unit and made off with a second, he said, adding that the custom-built machines could take weeks, or even a month, to replace. He also told FOX40 that the shop imports many of its flowers from Ecuador and Colombia, so any loss of cooling risks spoiling pricey stems and putting Mother’s Day orders in jeopardy.
Family-Run Shop Keeps Bouquets Moving
Everest Florist & Gifts describes itself as a family-owned business with decades of floral experience, and the owners say they are staying open and focused on fulfilling Mother’s Day deliveries despite the setback. The after-hours vending units were meant to give customers 24/7 access to ready-made arrangements, so losing one machine is both a logistical headache and a financial blow for the small shop.
Holiday Hits Have Burned Florists Before
Small florists getting hit right before big flower holidays is not new. In 2022, a Petaluma shop reported more than $1,200 in flowers stolen just hours before Mother’s Day, according to ABC7. Cases like that highlight how a single overnight break-in can wipe out a holiday’s worth of product and force staff into last-minute triage to keep customers supplied.
Sheriff’s Office Reviewing Video, No Arrests Yet
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office told KCRA that no arrests had been made, and that detectives are reviewing the surveillance footage and following up on leads. The owners said they are cooperating with investigators and urged anyone with information or relevant dash-cam video to contact authorities, according to FOX40.
