Valentine's Day is good for the economy!

From San Mateo Daily News/Nichole Coate, 2/13/12, "Valentine's spirit overwhelms economic mood."

"Despite the gloomy economy, one classic day remains to open wallets as widely as ever. Whether it’s on candy and flowers or a romantic dinner and diamond earrings, people are spending money on Valentine’s Day.

One rose or 12, its the thought.

It’s all about happiness, said San Bruno resident Kelly Furuta as he picked out 12 red roses for his girlfriend yesterday. “It’s something that you really can’t put a price tag on,” he said about the spirit of Valentine’s Day.

12 is better than 1 here.

Business for Valentine’s Day is better than last year at Steiner’s Jewelry in downtown San Mateo, said Manager Tami Ebenhoech. This is despite low sales in the fall and a average Christmas, Ebenhoech said. “We’ve seen a great Valentine’s Day,” said Leslie Rosenberg, co-owner of Carlyle Jewelry in San Mateo.Ebenhoech and Rosenberg said people want to express themselves to their loved ones, now more than ever after Sept. 11, and they don’t want to wait.

San Mateo Florists is one of several area florists experiencing high Valentines Day sales. “We’re extremely busy, and it’s really surprised me,” said Carol Santi, the florist’s bookkeeper. Santi said that although daily business has not fully recovered, and Christmas sales were lower than usual, customers are not hesitating to spend $75 to $100 on flowers for their Valentine. Business is also booming at San Mateo Plaza Florist. Store Manager Sharona Sasounian said that although regular outside orders have remained steady during the past few months, local sales and especially walk-ins have been down about 10 percent. Sasounian said Valentine’s Day sales are about the same every year, regardless of the economy.  “Flowers are flowers, and people will always love them,” she said."  Read more.

Posted by Kathy Meeh