Restaurants and other businesses that cater to mom on Mother's Day are finding ways to help families honor their matriarchs during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We don't want moms to be forgotten,” said Lori Steinheiser, owner of Peter's Chocolate Shoppe in Butler.

The shop has remained open during the pandemic so customers can walk in or call in an order and pick it up, she said.

“Everybody's been pretty good about wearing masks and social distancing,” Steinheiser said. “We've been able to keep the doors open so customers can come in and shop.”

Curbside pickup is available for people not comfortable entering the store, she said.

The store isn't open Sunday, but will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Take and bake meals that people cook at home can be picked up at Anna Marie's Winery and Cafe in East Butler.

“I didn't think it would work, but take and bake, the response is overwhelming,” said owner Deanna McKivigan.

Customers order the meal, pick it up and follow the directions to bake it in the oven.

“It's a nice thing to have everything prepared for them,” she said. “All they have to do is turn their oven on and they have a fresh meal whenever they choose to eat that day.”

Wine is also available for take out.

“We have sold a ton of wine. Everybody needs their wine,” she said.

The restaurant has been operating takeout, curbside and delivery services during the pandemic, and doing very well. “The community has been so wonderful supporting us. The response has been overwhelming. It's very humbling that our customers are still supporting us,” McKivigan said.

She said the restaurant received 70 orders for Mother's Day by the early afternoon Wednesday.

Special Mother's Day meals including prime rib and desserts can found with a drive to W. Rick's Taproom and Grill in Meridian.

The restaurant closed on March 20 due to the pandemic and has been adjusting to social restrictions since reopening April 29, said Tricia Christy, operations manager.

“It's new to us. The new normal,” Christy said. “We're glad to be back.”

Customers can select items from the menu and specials are posted on W. Rick's Facebook page. When orders are called in, customers are asked to provide the make and color of their vehicles. When they arrive in the parking lot, staff brings out their orders.

“It's as easy as that,” Christy said.

The restaurant is now open Wednesdays through Saturdays, but will open from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Christy asks that customers place their orders by 5:30 p.m.

There are plenty of cut flowers ready to make mom feel special at Schnur's Greenhouse in Butler.

“We have no shortage of cuttings. No issues. We were fortunate that way,” said owner Jim Schnur.

The shop didn't close due to the virus, but encourages customers to take precautions.

“We're open, but we're asking everyone to wear the mask. We have signs for social distancing inside,” he said.

Saturday will be a busy day, but the store is also open Sunday. “Saturday is a big day for us. A lot of people will get baskets for Mother's Day that day,” Schnur said. Despite being open, some customers prefer to call in orders and pick them up, he said.

The drive through at the Dairy Queen on Freeport Road in Butler has been so busy that workers have to direct traffic in the parking lot, said manager Roman Black.

“We've been very busy. We've had someone outside at night the last few days. The influx of people has made it interesting,” Black said.

It's been so popular that customers wanting special ice cream cakes for Mother's Day should call in and order them two days in advance, he said.

“We started to get some for Mother's Day. That's the best way to do it; I would definitely say, for Mother's Day, call ahead. That way you're guaranteed to have your cake ready,” Black said.

People who want a cake already made can buy one at the drive through and don't have to order in advance, he said. The restaurant is open all day Sunday.

Although probably too late for Mother's Day, legislation to allow florists to reopen will be introduced in the state House of Representatives. Rep. Torren Ecker, R-193rd, said he will introduce legislation allowing florists to immediately open. “A typical florist location has one to maybe three employees and one or two customers on site at any one time, which is well below the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines to limit gatherings to 10 people or less,” Ecker said.

He said many events such as graduation parties and weddings that produce business for florists aren't being held so allowing florists to open and make deliveries would assist them. “Delivery services make it possible for the safe exchange of florists' beautiful products, and more importantly, makes it possible to brighten the day of those forgotten or overwhelmed by isolation,” he said.