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‘Phone’s been ringing off the hook’: Lethbridge businesses bask in Valentine’s Day boost

Click to play video: '‘The phone’s been ringing off the hook’: Lethbridge businesses getting Valentine’s Day boost'
‘The phone’s been ringing off the hook’: Lethbridge businesses getting Valentine’s Day boost
Many southern Alberta couples are spending this Valentine’s Day evening celebrating each other, maybe over dinner or with a few gifts. That’s kept local businesses busy as they try and meet the demand. As Erik Bay tells us, in some cases the Valentine’s rush can even have an impact long after the day is over. – Feb 14, 2023

Employees at Blooms Flowers and Gifts were busy filling Valentine’s Day orders on Tuesday, even for the most last-minute shoppers.

“A lot of guys coming in yesterday… but today the phone’s been ringing off the hook,” said owner Colin Jorgensen.

“We opened up early, people were knocking on our door. It’s crazy, but Valentine’s usually is.”

It’s the first big occasion of 2023 for Jorgensen’s flower shop.

The owner says while this year has been busy, flowers were actually in higher demand during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID was a little bit of an anomaly. It actually made us busier in the floral industry,” Jorgensen said.

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“This year isn’t quite to those standards, but it’s still a busy year… kind of back to the pre-COVID stuff.”

Click to play video: 'Whipping up Valentine’s Day treats with Anna Olson!'
Whipping up Valentine’s Day treats with Anna Olson!

It’s a boost for his business’ bottom line and it’s preparation for other flower-giving holidays, where the rush is longer.

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“It’s a few days that we’re celebrating (Valentine’s Day), whereas Mother’s Day, it kind of goes on for a week, so it’s a bit more of a holiday for us where we’re impacted more,” Jorgensen said.

“Our restaurant has been busy… our phones have been going non-stop for the last couple weeks about Valentine’s Day,” said Cayley McNeill, marketing manager at Firestone Restaurant & Bar.

The food industry is also expecting an active evening.

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Dinner reservations at Firestone have been full for the last two weeks.

“Since returning from COVID, Valentine’s Day has been super popular, but the business that we’ll receive on a Tuesday night is pretty similar to what we’ll see on a weekend, so we’re definitely ready,” McNeill said.

And it’s not just Feb. 14 where some businesses will get an economic boost.

According to McNeill, Tuesday’s influx of diners will also carry forward.

“We’ll definitely see a lot of traction for the next couple days for sure, if not weeks, from Valentine’s Day,” McNeill said.

“It’s a really good push that we get in the little bit slower time of the year.”

 

Click to play video: 'Saskatchewan florist says more lovers are shopping early, steadily demanding flowers despite inflation'
Saskatchewan florist says more lovers are shopping early, steadily demanding flowers despite inflation

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