PARIS — A mobile florist truck has set up shop at 179 South Main Street in South Paris and offers “build your own” arrangements as well as premade flower bouquets five days a week.

Petal to the Metal is operated out of a converted U-Haul truck by owner and South Paris resident Savannah Jewell in the front of the Save-A-Lot parking lot. 

The truck stands out because of the graffiti-like design of the business’ name on the side of the truck. Many people have stopped in thinking it was a food truck, Jewell said.

“I’ve even gotten a tattoo truck or a welding truck,” she said.

Petal to the Metal sources all of its flowers from local growers according to what is in season. Its bouquets are also available at Howe Family Farm in Bethel.

“Since we are sourcing them from different farms around here, it’s basically whatever they have at the time,” Jewell said.

Currently in stock are baby’s breath, sunflowers, disbuds, lilies, craspedia (or drumstick flower), ferns, roses, pompons, calla lilies, and other assorted greens, according to Petal to the Metal’s Facebook page. The shop also offers dried eucalyptus and handmade eucalyptus wreaths.

Many people use eucalyptus for health reasons, including placing it in the shower to help with congestion and sinus pressure, Jewell said.

The flower truck also offers deliveries and catering for events.

“We come to you – and you get to pick your own blooms! Weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, work events, anniversary parties, etc.,” a Facebook post reads.

On June 14, Petal to the Metal parked at Crescent Park School in Bethel to help celebrate the end of the school year.

Since opening at the beginning of May, the unique shop has seen brisk business, especially for Mother’s Day and prom. For Jewell, she simply saw a need for a florist in the area and jumped on it.

“I came up with the idea,” Jewell said. “Valentine’s Day rolled around and there was nothing in the area except for Hannaford or Walmart. So I kind of wanted to do something but I had no idea what.”

Jewell saw some vintage trucks on TikTok selling flowers and custom arrangements out of the truck bed. She then picked up an old U-Haul truck on Facebook Marketplace at a bargain and enlisted her husband, Rob Jewell, to fix up the inside and make it road-ready.

“Thankfully, my husband is very crafty so he did all of the woodwork and the side paneling that you see,” Jewell said.

Although Jewell grew up on a farm in Bethel working in the garden with her mom, she comes from a career in banking and said the venture is a bit “nerve-wracking” because it’s a “whole new thing.”

“I actually grew up on a farm and my mom planted a lot of flowers,” Jewell said. “I never was very good at it when I was younger because I didn’t have the patience for it, but definitely growing up a little bit more, I love it.”

Her husband is planning on building a greenhouse for the business, so she hopes to start growing her own flowers soon as well.

During the interview, a customer from Bryant Pond, Rebecca Carter, stopped in to make her own bouquet, commenting that “flowers are such a healing force.”

Jewell does arrange some pre-made bouquets but she has found that the customer arrangements are much more popular, as most florists don’t offer that “build your own” option. 

“I have found that a lot of people like to make their own,” Jewell said. “I think it’s great. It’s a fun little activity.”

Petal to the Metal has all the different flowers, or “stems,” laid out and labeled on a wall in the truck. Once a customer picks their flowers, Jewell arranges them and wraps them into a bouquet.

Petal to the Metal is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Tuesday and Thursday. Call 240-5056 or visit the business’ Facebook page to request arrangements ahead of time.

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