Joseph R. Vena/The Jersey Journal

Entenmann?s Florist in Jersey City is no stranger to creating its signature floral arrangements for display in MetLife Stadium. Doing if for the Super Bowl was no different.

Owner Ed Von Bargen, who along with his wife Debbie run the shop at 1731 Kennedy Blvd., said they have been supplying arrangements to the MetLife suites through the stadium?s caterers for around 15 years and for every Jets and Giants game for about 10 years.

But the arrangements they supplied for Media Day and for the big game on Feb. 2 were beyond anything they?ve ever handled before.

?It was 10, 15, maybe 20 times bigger and better than anything we?ve ever done before,? Von Bargen said.

Von Bargen brought in 15 additional employees, including friends from shops in Denville and Schenectady, N.Y.

?We were in a great position to be able to take this on,? he commented. ?We know the logistics of the area. We know how to get in and out, and that was a big thing.?

The stadium has changed caterers over the years, but its current one, Delaware North, continues to work with Entenmann?s.

Although most would expect Super Bowl arrangements to be football-themed, surprisingly, that wasn?t the case.

?That?s what we would think. It did not involve team themes at all. It went completely opposite of teams,? Von Bargen said.

?They wanted to feature their food, and that was really the highlight. We had to complement what they were putting out to serve.??




The arrangements, which totaled about 200 pieces, were comprised of woodsy, natural items with muted hues such as birch logs and pussy willows.

Von Bargen and his wife, whom he gives most of the credit for coordinating the whole process, are relieved the hectic job has been completed, but is something they undoubtedly will remain proud of.

?It was an absolute honor to be able to do it,? he said.