Love is in the air, whether you're celebrating your significant other, friends and family, or practicing self-love this Valentine's Day. It’s the one day a year when lovebirds flock to their favorite restaurants, flower shops, and chocolate counters to prove their undying devotion.
But while Cupid is busy slinging arrows, businesses in Milledgeville are hard at work cashing in on the love-fueled frenzy.
Local florists are among the biggest winners on Feb.
14. At Flowers by Jeanie, the phones start ringing off the hook days in advance.
“We are still preparing.
All of our flowers have started to come in so it’s a very busy time of the year for us. We have gotten a lot of orders throughout the week, and we are hoping to get more,” owner Jeanie said.
Chick-fil-a reports that their heart-shaped nugget platters sell out almost as soon as they arrive. Longtime employee and manager Abby Pollock commented on how much of a hit the platters are.
“The heart-shaped trays are by far one of our biggest promotions at CFA. Last year, we sold over 100 trays in one day, selling out our entire stock,” Pollock said.
If you didn’t make dinner reservations by early February, you might be out of luck. Restaurants in Milledgeville, from cozy cafés to upscale dining spots, are booked solid for romantic dinners. At Shima, Valentine's Day is one of their busiest nights of the year.
“Valentine’s day is very popular for Shima, and it is probably one of the busiest days in terms of business.
I worked last Valentine’s Day, and there was a line out the door of people hoping to come dine with us,” said Piper Zegers, a Shima employee.
“This Valentine’s Day I am expecting a packed restaurant, filled with people celebrating the holiday with their Valentines or Galentines. Shima is also offering a Valentine’s Day alcoholic slushy, so I am sure that will also lure in more customers.”
The Milledgeville Mall sees a boost as love-struck shoppers hunt for the perfect gift. The mall is having a Sweethearts give away, where participants can enter for a chance to win a $100 give card for the mall store of your choice.
When the heart-shaped confetti settles, its clear Valentine’s Day is a golden opportunity for businesses in Milledgeville to thrive. Whether it’s selling flowers, crafting the perfect romantic dinner, or giving people an excuse to treat themselves, the local economy gets a sweet boost every Feb. 14.