“The Petal Pusher” is an ode to New York City’s Penn Station, the busiest and perhaps dingiest transit hub in North America. It’s told through the prism of what was one of the longest-running small businesses there: The Petal Pusher. It was a flower shop, with several strategically located kiosks, that served the daily crush of commuters, especially on Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. The film is a reflection on the economics of love (and desperation), and it’s a testament to a bygone era — before recent construction transformed the station into a kind of mall filled with chain stores. At its heart, this is a story about love, loss, and family. The director’s parents opened The Petal Pusher in the 1970s and ran it for decades, until the station’s renovation forced the business to close.

The 15-minute film will be followed by a panel discussion with Filmmakers David Abel and Mark Chesak, moderated by a special guest, with audience Q&A. After the program in the Cook Memorial Theater, join the filmmakers in the Jacobs Family Gallery for continued casual conversation and a brief cocktail reception with lite bites and a cash bar.

Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase fresh cut flower bouquets from a local small business during the event.