By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – What started as a post on a local Facebook page has turned into an “overwhelming” show of community support for law enforcement officers at an Alabaster business.

Flowerz ‘N More off Fulton Springs Road near the Publix shopping center is offering free blue ribbons to anyone who wants to display them as a sign of support for local police, and the store has seen a much higher response than it originally anticipated.

“It’s been fun, and a little overwhelming,” store owner Melanie Shores said during a July 22 interview. “It’s exciting to see that many people are interested in showing their support.”

Following a recent string of violent actions directed toward police officers in multiple cities across the nation, members of the Alabaster Citizens Community Board began making posts asking where they could find blue ribbons to display at their homes and businesses.

After seeing the posts, Shores and Janice Young, the owner of Monograms ‘N More in the same shopping center, began talking about a way to meet the community’s need, and decided Flowerz ‘N More would begin offering blue ribbons for free.

“I don’t want someone who wants one and can’t afford to buy one to not have one,” Shores said. “This is just something we can do for the community.

“We want the police officers to know we are here for them,” Shores added, noting the store is also supporting the city’s school resource officers. “We can’t protect them, but we want them to know we appreciate them protecting us.”

While the ribbons are free, the store is accepting donations to present to the Alabaster Police Department to use internally or to help a local family in need.

Since the store began offering the free ribbons, it has seen an outpouring from the community.

“We gave out 60 yesterday, and we have about 75 made for today,” Shores said. “This isn’t just for Alabaster. We’ve had people from surrounding cities come in, so it’s open to everyone.

“This is one of the things I love about having the store. What can we do to help out?” Shores added. “We’ll keep making them as long as people want them.”

The store is located at 76 Fulton Springs Road, Suite B, in Alabaster, and is open Tuesdays-Fridays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Once school starts in August, the store will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.