For some people, Valentine's Day is a chance to celebrate romance and love with that special someone. Others dread the date while proclaiming that they refuse to celebrate a Hallmark holiday. But whether you cuddle with your valentine or celebrate Singles Awareness Day, this holiday is a huge industry with deep cultural impact.
Roses are red, especially on Valentine's Day
Men spend an average of $75 on flowers for their girlfriends and wives on Valentine's Day, said Polly Creech, the owner of Hyacinth Bean Florist, 94 Columbus Road.
Some men really go all out for Valentine's Day
Creech said, adding that roses are usually the flower of choice.
Customers intimidated by the serious message of red roses should go with a different color rose or avoid the flower and go with something different, she said.
Women often come to buy flowers for their girl friends, but they usually buy light, pretty flowers like tulips or daisies, Creech said.
Athens Flower Shop Inc., 252 E. State St., hired seven additional employees to deliver on Valentine's Day, owner Jim Sands said.
We usually get about 100 roses a week but this week we order 1 200 as well as a lot more of other flowers
Sands said. It's the busiest day of the year.
An intimate increase
Business at local adult store Passionate Kisses, 21 Kern St., picked up two weeks ago and has been busy ever since, owner Ann Sowers said.
The only word to describe it is crazy
Sowers said, adding that the store sold out of its Valentines-themed merchandise. It's our busiest time of the year.
Don't worry, Passionate Kisses still has a variety of red and pink merchandise, including body paint, costumes for the bedroom and edible panties, Sowers said.
Lingerie sales at The Other Place, 43 S. Court St., spiked late last week and intimate items have been in demand since, said assistant manager Lisi Drioane.
I would say that every customer that's come in has at least looked at
if not bought
lingerie
Drioane said.
The store has a lot of red and pink merchandise appropriate for Valentine's Day, she said.
All that sparkles
Jewelry is a popular option for Valentine's Day presents ' and an economically huge industry. Last February, the nearly 30,000 jewelry stores in the U.S. sold $2.5 billion in merchandise, according to the U.S. Census.
February is an outstanding month for us because of Valentine's Day
said Angela Carter, manager of Cornwell Jewelers, 77 N. Court St. But business isn't as heavy at the beginning of the month; four days before the holiday, business really takes off, she added.
Dunkin's Diamonds, 917 E. State St., also sells a lot of heart-shaped pieces in February, co-manager Lynette Pillay said.
Earring sets are other big sellers, and a lot of engagement rings are sold around this time of year, she said.
Jewelry seems to be the perfect gift
Carter said. There are a lot of things available for $100 to $150. Anything heart-themed ' such as bracelets or pendants ' are big sellers. And jewelry definitely lasts longer than chocolate or flowers. You get a piece of jewelry
and it lasts a lifetime
