Real people are behind those homecoming mum supplies websites

There’s a moment in every mum maker’s life where she or he thought, I could do that.

L&M Wholesale and Manufacturing in Glen Rose, Texas has been serving the homecoming mum industry for decades. Today the business is operated by Melissa Slater and her team of family members and friends. They do it all in loving memory of Melissa’s mom, who started the business after getting the hang of making homecoming mums herself.

The smile behind the miles of ribbons. Mumtrepreneur Melissa Slater of L&M Wholesale and Manufacturing, and me.

Little town, big footprint

With less than 3000 residents, the very small town of Glen Rose is famous for two very big attractions: wild animals (Fossil Rim Wildlife Center) and dinosaurs (Dinosaur Valley State Park and Dinosaur World). Well, three big attractions actually, because if you’re a homecoming mum insider, you know about L&M Wholesale and Manufacturing.

Source: visitglenrosetx.com

Located two minutes from the town’s Expo Center and across the street from the new Starbucks, L&M attracts customers of all skill levels but they specialize in serving professional mum makers. These mumtrepreneurs (a word I made up) shop year-round for supplies, and they’re drawn to L&M’s selection, loyalty program, and custom products like backers and imprinted ribbons. I couldn’t help but admire their variety of metallic ribbons in gold, rose gold, silver, and school colors.

Melissa knows her product line, and she knows where her designs go when they leave the warehouse. She told me that her ribbons found their way into the homecoming episode of Bella and the Bulldogs, a 2015-16 Nickelodeon series. And when I showed her that JJ Pearce High School was featured in a 2023 New York Times story about homecoming mums, she nearly exploded with pride. “See those ribbons?” she said. “Those are mine!”

“Traitor Dater,” Season One Episode 13, Bella and the Bulldogs, 2015, and ”In Texas, Mums Rival Football as the Big Homecoming Attraction,” New York Times, 9-30-2023

If you don’t happen to live near Glen Rose, L&M Wholesale and Manufacturing sells and ships mum supplies from a most excellent URL: mumsupplies.com.

Friendly “coopition”

If you think homecoming wholesalers and retailers are enemies because they’re in competition with each other, think again. In fact, I would say that the entire mum ecosystem—with some exceptions, of course—is a study in coopitition, which is not a word I made up but I sure like it.

For instance, Melissa and her mom used to shop at The Saleplace in Balch Springs for homecoming mum supplies. The Saleplace is also a family-owned business with a enormous storefront and online shop. When L&M decided to get into wholesaling, they checked in with The Saleplace’s second generation owners Teresa and Greg to make sure the change wouldn’t ruin their long-time friendship.

“I’ll never forget what Teresa told us,” Melissa said. “She said, ‘We’re on the east side of Dallas and you’re on the west side, and there are plenty of customers in between who want to make mums.’”

Teresa was right. Today, The Saleplace even carries some of Melissa’s products.

Before you buy online…

I took these photos at six different homecoming mum wholesalers and retailers in Texas and Oklahoma. They are so much more than what you see here or on their websites.

Left to right, top to bottom: Greg and Teresa at The Saleplace (Balch Springs, TX), L&M Wholesale and Manufacturing (Glen Rose, TX), Marlow Floral (Marlow, OK), Heather at Boerne Homecoming Mums (Boerne, TX), JJ Pearce High School Mum Shop (Allen, TX), my new friends and me at Amistad Floral & Crafts (San Antonio, TX)

If you’re in the market for DIY homecoming mum supplies, whether you’re shopping online or in person, you’re looking for the best selection and the best price. Right?

Especially if it’s your first time making a mum, I strongly recommend that you schedule time to make a trip to your closest mum supply wholesaler or retailer. If you don’t know where it is, ask your local high school spirit squad coach, band instructor, or a teacher who specializes in Family and Consumer Sciences, Art, Floral Design, or Fashion Design. You can search for “homecoming mum supplies near me” too, but beware of misleading search results. Before you go, check to see if the store is open to the public or by appointment only.

Once you get there, take your time. Ask questions and brainstorm with the sales staff. You’ll quickly learn that in addition to selection and cost, there are two more important considerations to your purchasing decision: expertise and local intel.

No matter the city or town, the local mum supply shop is owned by people who live where they work, love what they do, and contribute greatly to their community’s spirit and economy. All you have to do is ask, and they’ll flood you with endless knowledge of local high school history and customs (what do sophomore mums and garters at DHS look like?), popular mum trends (are Bridgerton style mums still popular with seniors?), and DIY hot tips (which stapler works the best?)

Believe me, the answers to these questions are not only interesting but will save you time, frustration, and money.

And they will help you say, with confidence, I can do that.

Get your autographed copy of MUMENTOUS at a special L&M Wholesale price!

If you enjoyed reading this, you might enjoy my book, MUMENTOUS: Original Photos and Mostly-True Stories about Football, Glue Guns, Moms, and a Supersized High School Tradition that was Born Deep in the Heart of Texas.

Autographed copies of MUMENTOUS are available at L&M Wholesale and Manufacturing! This special L&M offer is only available in-store and will be COMING SOON to their website. For information and orders, call L&M at 254-897-9978 or visit mumsupplies.com