NORWICH – With the arrival of Valentine’s Day, small businesses citywide are preparing for a busy day, hoping to bring in the patronage of local romantics who have been struck by cupid’s arrow.
For Rick Williams, owner of Pires Flower Shop on Rt. 12, Valentine’s Day means hectic work days and long hours. Williams and his employees frantically assembled floral arrangements yesterday and will be making deliveries throughout the day that he said is “the busiest single day of the year,” topped only by Mother’s Day. Since Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday this year, Williams said he has read estimates of a 19 to 27 percent sales increase for floral businesses today.
“We usually sell as many as 10,000 roses every year,” Williams said, citing that red roses are the flower of choice on Valentine’s Day. This year, that number has increased. Yesterday, roses sold out and a new delivery of roses earlier this morning was needed to fill many pending orders.
Of course, Williams is not the only local entrepreneur who benefits from this annual day of romance. Sharon Jeffer, owner of The Parson’s Daughter on West Park Place, was open extended hours for Valentine’s Day. Yesterday, a steady stream of customers bought candy or a unique bouquet of assorted chocolates. Paul and Julie Koch, avid shoppers at The Parson’s Daughter, were inside looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
“It’s a good shop to come to,” Paul Koch said. “We’re here really shopping for the kids, and some for ourselves.”
This is Jeffer’s tenth Valentine’s Day as the small business owner and while she said there is a notable increase of sales each year, it’s more the memory she helps her customers create that matters the most.
“Valentine’s Day is fun and every year is different. I enjoy what I do,” she said. “It’s a memory that customers are creating. It’s multi-generational and full of memories. That’s what’s special about a candy shop.”
If candy and flowers aren’t the perfect way to celebrate love, special deals from small businesses throughout the city are celebrating the occasion. Nina’s Restaurant on South Broad Street is offering a Valentine’s Day special of prime rib and surf-and-turf meals. The Colonia Theater is advertising a Valentine’s Day two for $20 special, which includes 2 tickets, 2 large sodas, one large popcorn and a rose for the first 50 ladies who walk through the door.
Roz DeRensis, director at the Norwich Business Improvement District, said that whether a night is planned for the family or for a more intimate setting, the city is full of great options.
“I love that we have a variety of diverse dining establishments in our downtown area, from Nina’s to Park Place and Cafe Connection for a date night or families wanting to celebrate time together,” DeRensis said. “There are so many options; the downtown area is the perfect place to celebrate your valentine.”