Vending

Ohio hospital adds self-service floral vending machine

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June 26, 2026

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An Ohio florist has expanded her business beyond a traditional storefront by launching a floral vending machine at Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, according to a WFMJ News report. Jasmine Pete, owner of Houze of Bouquets, opened her first retail location at Eastwood Mall earlier this year and recently introduced the automated flower kiosk to serve hospital visitors looking for gifts. Hospital officials said the machine helps fill a gap left after gift shop services became more limited following the COVID-19 pandemic, providing patients and visitors with convenient access to fresh floral arrangements.

The self-service vending machine allows customers to browse arrangements on a touchscreen, pay using credit cards or mobile payment options, and receive flowers from a refrigerated unit designed to keep bouquets fresh. Pete said she differentiates her products through custom arrangements, specialty roses and unique designs not commonly found elsewhere. Encouraged by the hospital deployment, she sees opportunities to expand the concept to other locations, including airports, retail stores and pharmacies, bringing floral gifts to customers through automated retail technology.