Sunday holiday less of a boost

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John M. Steiner / The Sun Sending flowers for Valentine’s Day is just one of many gifts people give their spouses or significant others for the sweetheart holiday.

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Valentine’s Day is typically one of the three busiest holidays for many businesses like jewelry stores, flower shops and restaurants.

The holiday falls on a Sunday this year, and depending on the business, the day of the week can make Cupid’s arrow hit or miss.

According to a survey released by the National Retail Federation, people will spend an average of $63.34 on gifts for their significant other or spouse, down 6 percent from $67.22 last year.

Sundays mean a reduction in red roses for Don’s House of Flowers where the whole point of sending them is so co-workers can see them, said Don McIravy, owner.

“It’s a busy holiday but since its on Sunday it’s not good,” he said.

For Gretchen Barnick, owner of Country Gardens Floral, business was busy Friday, but she expects additional business today and Sunday. Country Gardens isn’t typically open on Sundays in the winter, but because of Valentine’s Day, Barnick is making an exception.

Even though she’s an open an extra day this week, she expects Valentine’s Day business this year compared to last year to decrease 20-25 percent.

“Everybody wants to show off at work,” she said.

Both floral shop owners agreed: more men purchase flowers than women, and most purchased last minute.

“The orders really didn’t start coming in until yesterday,” McIravy said.

For restaurants like Buffalo City Grille, Valentine’s Day is more than just a day — it’s a whole weekend. Most tables there are reserved on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, said Bartender Jonathan Lagge.

The Grille is running a surf and turf special Saturday and Sunday and they’ve added extra staff, but otherwise the menu is the same and business will continue as usual. And, as with previous Valentine’s Days in the restaurant’s three-year history, a marriage proposal is possible too, he said.

Valentine’s Day typically isn’t the busiest day of the year, Lagge said, Mother’s Day usually earns that title. But servers say the holiday is usually a pocket-friendly one.

“It’s one of the better tipping days of the year, that’s for sure,” he said.

At The Depot Family Restaurant in Jamestown, owners have paired their five entrée specials with a free movie ticket at the neighboring Cinema Twin, said Dani Paul, co-owner and general manager.

Valentine’s Day is typically a day to take out your sweetheart, Paul said, and spend a lot of money. But many Depot customers aren’t looking to break the bank. The movie ticket deal allows the restaurant to cater to its budget-conscious customers.

“We are not a high-dollar restaurant,” she said.

Eight or nine staffers will operate the restaurant Saturday night and Sunday morning, the max it ever has on at one time, Paul said.

“It’s a common day for us really, just a lot more busy,” she said.

Busy is the word for Riddle’s Jewelry in Jamestown where the Sunday holiday is good for the bottom line. When Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, for instance, said Shirley Jackson, manager, the holiday combines with the store’s busiest day of the week. On a Sunday, it means Riddle’s Jewelry has two busy days in the week.

Jackson said she and her co-workers assisted several gentlemen Friday and expect more last-minute customers today.

“I will be busy tomorrow,” she said.

Many customers question what to buy and say they have no clue, Jackson said, but she and her staff guide them through decisions like white gold or yellow gold or birthstones versus other rocks. Popular gifts this year include heart-shaped pendants as well as black and white diamonds.

Sun reporter Katie Ryan can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by e-mail at kryan@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, valentines day, news, retail, shopping