Sunday, May 11, is Mother’s Day. It’s a day to honor the women in our lives. And West Columbia businesses are preparing to help make the day special.

Sightler’s Florist and Marketplace at 716 Meeting Street in West Columbia is a floral and gift shop specializing in a variety of fresh flowers and creative gift ideas.

Albert Hughes has been the owner of Sightler’s Florist for around 12 years. He said Mother’s Day is a big day for his business. He said Sightler’s sells some of everything for Mother’s Day, including daisies, roses, carnations, and irises.

“We do lots of mixed arrangements,” he said.  Along with the high volume of flowers sold by Sightler’s, many Mother’s Day orders include chocolates, popcorn and other tasty treats.

At Jarrett’s Jungle and Garden Center, 1621 Sunset Boulevard, the week before Mother’s Day is the busiest time of the year, according to Jackie MaCaulay, owner of Jarrett’s Jungle.

Flowers of all colors are ordered for Mother’s Day. Hanging baskets and potted plants of ferns and ivy, with Spanish moss, or green moss to cover the pots are a popular mother’s day gift.

Anthurium is another popular flower for this time of year. The plants produce beautiful, long-lasting, waxy, heart- shaped flowers that last throughout the year.

A REMINDER: The florists of West Columbia can accommodate you, so be sure to shop local for flowers. Do not use wire services like FTD, Teleflora or 1-800-FLOWERS. They are brokers who act as “the middle man” taking part of an amount for the floral purchase and keeping it out of the local economy. Call your local florist directly, or go to their authentic website, or place of business, to order.

Maybe you want to take mom out to dine on Mother’s Day

Grecian Gardens, at 2312 Sunset Boulevard in West Columbia, is busier than a normal on Mother’s Day. Valentine’s Day and the Christmas season are some of the other busy times for Grecian Gardens because a lot of families are treating mom to a dining date.

You’ll see lots of happy and friendly faces at Grecian Gardens.  Some families and their friends come as a group with as many as 20 people to the party.

Grecian Gardens’ most popular dish is roasted chicken with Greek potatoes. Other favorites for mom include: Roasted Chicken with Greek potatoes, classic Lasagna, Crab cakes, and traditional Spanakopita. Also popular are: turkey and gravy, lightly battered fried flounder and Greek salad.

If you want some music as you dine, Chayz Lounge at 607 Meeting Street is another West Columbia option for Mother’s Day. It’s open for Sunday Brunch from Noon until 3 p.m. Chayz Lounge offers a relaxing atmosphere with a variety of delicious dishes, wine and mimosas in an elegant, upscale space. Also, enjoy the best in live contemporary jazz, during the Sunday Brunch. To make your reservation, call: (803) 563-8375 or visit the website at Chayz Lounge online

You can also get brunch at Cafe Strudel, 300 State Street.

“We are really busy on Mother’s Day,” said Trip Turbyfill, of Café Strudel on State Street. “There is a substantial increase in the number of mothers coming into Café Strudel on Mother’s Day.”

Get your special mother flowers from a local florist and take her out to a West Columbia restaurant on her special day. She’ll be sure to appreciate whatever you do for her.