Valentine's Day Falling On A Weekend Means Big Bucks For Businesses

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Shopping for your sweetie this Valentine's Day means seeing a lot of red, the color of love.

But with the holiday falling on a weekend retailers are seeing green, by the billions.

Gigi Barnett has more.

Valentine's Day is still a couple of days away, but the delivery drivers at Flowers by Chris, in Baltimore City, have been driving non-stop since Thursday.

The long-stem red roses are by tradition, one of the hottest gifts this holiday.

"It's true romance. Long stem roses mean true love," said Duke Psoras, manager at Flowers by Chris.

But true success for the flower shop means seeing Valentine's Day fall on the weekend.

Shoppers tend to spread the love and gifts between Thursday and Monday.

Duke says this has been one of the busiest years, delivering over 600 pieces in the next couple days.

Nationwide, economists say about $4.5-billion will be spent on an evening out this weekend, which includes going to restaurants like the Rusty Scupper at the Inner Harbor.

Ed Prutzer, Rusty Scupper's General Manager says the front desk has been taking thousands of reservations.

The Rusty Scupper says Valentine's Day is one of its fast growing holidays and with it falling on a weekend this year, the reservation list is nearly sold out.

Experts say valentines shoppers will also dish out $4-billion on jewelry and $2-billion on flowers and $2-billion on clothes across the country.

Valentine's Day is also sweet news for new business owners Michelle Zimmerman and her husband Todd, both former journalists who opened up Charm City Chocolates, in Hampden last month.

Michelle cites one survey that states 50-percent of people plan on giving candy this Valentines Day.

"And if we sell out of chocolate, we have balloons," Michelle laughs.