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MASSENA - Poor-planning husbands and boyfriends arent the only ones scrambling to do Valentines Day right. Area florists and restaurants are dealing with massive influxes of customers eager to delight their significant others.
Kelly Keleher, owner of the Potsdam Village Florist, called Valentines Day business brutal, saying theyd sold hundreds of flowers and arrangements.
The Downtown Florist in Massena also saw a huge surge in sales. Owner Patty M. Wells said theyd ordered more roses than in any previous year, and they sold all of them.
Weve been preparing all week (for Valentines Day). We were very well prepared, Ms. Wells said. We appreciate all this support from the community.
Some florists say red roses were the most popular for flowers this year. The Society of American Florists state red roses are the most-sold flower for Valentines Day, accounting for 51 percent of all flower purcahses. Approximately 224 million roses were produced for Valentines Day in 2012.
Aside from candy and chocolates, many couples chose to go out for Valentines Day, packing some area restaurants.
Jenny Walker, co-owner of the 1844 House in Potsdam, said they had a full house Thursday and had to turn some customers away. Its all reservations today, Ms. Walker said.
Ross Violi, co-owner of Violis in Massena, said the restaurant was at full capacity late Thursday afternoon. Anyone who ate at Violis for Valentines Day had a reservation, most of which were made four to five days before the holiday.
Mr. Violi said he brought in extra help to deal with the influx of customers, as he always has to for Valentines Day.
According to Time magazine, the average American spends $126 on Valentines Day, adding up to $4.1 billion being spent on jewelry, and $3.5 billion toward a romantic evening, such as paying for dinner.