AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Over the last few years, all the change in a tumultuous world has led many to question whether Valentine’s Day still pulls at heart strings the way it once did. According to surveys carried out by the National Retail Foundation (NRF), American consumers spent approximately $21.8 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2021 – a figure that was a reduction from Valentine’s Day spending in 2020, most likely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
There doesn’t seem to be a baseline estimate for how much might be spent this year, but Severna Park retailers are hoping for the best. I surveyed several local shop owners and restaurateurs and found that, for the most part, that lovin’ feelin’ hasn’t been lost.
NRF statistics show that candy tops the list for Valentine’s Day sales year after year at 54 percent followed by cards at 44 percent. One glance at the number of customers checking out the candy shelves at the Severna Park Safeway and Giant Food stores confirmed the popularity of heart shaped boxes filled with chocolate buttercreams. (A pure test of wills for the chocoholics among us not to sample one.)
Valentine’s Day cards remain a hot selling article.
“We were just talking about that. We think Valentine cards are as popular as ever,” said Banner’s Hallmark Shop employee Peggy Marino. “We’re discussing bringing more help in here on Sunday because we’ll be so busy.”
Marino added that not only will the Park Plaza shop be doing a brisk business from Friday through Monday, but the company’s other stores will see heavy traffic too.
While sweet and simple cards remain a big part of the inventory, pop-up Valentine cards are extremely popular. Marino notes that Valentine’s Day is no longer a holiday for sweethearts only but is now a family affair with pets often included. Thus, many gifts are purchased along with Valentine-themed giftwrap or giftbags, so the holiday remains quite a boost for the store.
There are many local businesses providing gifts or special treats ranging the gamut from Valentine cakes and cookies or flowers to special menus from our favorite eateries. Sticking with the idea of sweets for one’s sweetie from local bakeries, we discovered that Kirsten’s Cakery has teamed with Moondance Cookies this year to supply heart-trimmed cakes and cookies aplenty.
Talented chef, baker and Cakes & Confections owner Michael Brown is pretty upbeat about the holiday this year.
Brown believes that Valentine’s Day has generally been good for sales and feels it has the same impact it’s had in the past.
“The COVID epidemic caused orders to fluctuate a little over the past year or so. But this year’s Valentine’s Day sales are fairly robust,” he said.
Brown added that Cakes & Confections’ timeframe for accepting custom Valentine cake orders for 2022 was compressed due to the Super Bowl which happens the day before. With orders for back-to-back occasions rolling in, he found it necessary to cut off orders for custom cakes on Tuesday, February 8th. However, he still has elaborately decorated pre-made Valentine cakes like the one above in his showcase for customers to pick from.
Considered the most romantic holiday of the year, Valentine’s Day customarily brings couples to local restaurants, most of which offer special menus for the day. Wondering if that would be the case this year, we first spoke with Cafe Mezzanotte manager Krista Corvin.
“I haven’t been on staff long enough to gauge how well we’re doing compared to other years, but I’m pleased to report we already have reservations for Valentine’s Day for a number of two-tops (tables for two). That’s great since the holiday occurs on a Monday,” Corvin said. “We’re offering a special five-course Valentine’s Weekend tasting menu Friday through Monday.”
Approached with the same question, Park Tavern manager Rich Weddle said “It’s a question we’ve been wondering ourselves since Valentine’s Day is on Monday right after the Superbowl on Sunday. We already know JB’s, Severna Park, our sister 206 Restaurant Group venue, will be packed for the Superbowl. We’re expect our more upscale date-night favorite Park Tavern to draw Valentine’s Day celebrants.
To set the mood, Weddle personally created a selection of “Cupids & Cocktails” drinks pictured below that are being featured throughout February.
“Our chef’s been busy, as well, creating Valentine inspired menus,” Weddle said. “For Saturday and Sunday brunch he’s offering the same Red Velvet Pancakes that were a hit last year. He’s preparing a special menu for Valentine’s Day and, to top it off, he’s created a Triple-A Red Velvet Cheesecake for dessert.”
We checked in with Zachary’s Jewelers to see if Valentine’s Day remains a potent time of the year with its customers. According to employee Evangeline Ross, the holiday still has quite an impact.
“For us, the biggest holiday is Christmas. However, we always get an uptick of business at this time of year,” Ross said. “People buy Valentine’s gifts and, since February’s birthstone is amethyst, a bracelet or ring with that gem is popular among others.
“February 14th being the year’s most romantic holiday, it’s a day many young men choose to propose,” she added. “We sometimes see them before but, more often, they’ll come in just after with their fiancées for an engagement ring and/or wedding band.”
Of course, how can you say “I love you” better than with a bouquet of beautiful flowers. Formal Valentine arrangements or the forever popular bouquet of a dozen red roses may be ordered from florists like Severna Flowers and Gifts on McKinsey Road.
For more casual Valentine’s Day bouquets, Megan Taylor’s Peaceful Petals Flower Shop has lots to offer. Taylor believes the holiday has a great impact for her business.
“I was wondering what would happen with the Superbowl being the day before and Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday. However, I only put out one email and I’ve already surpassed last year’s orders for Valentine bouquets,” she said.
The nice thing about Peaceful Petals is that you can buy a single stem or two for your beloved from the Flower Bar, create your own Valentine bouquet using a cluster of flowers, or order a premade bouquet.
“We have a pre-order option with three separate prices, the first being a modest priced standard size bouquet or larger, more robust bouquets for those wishing to go all out,” Taylor said.
Known for sourcing its flowers from local or regional growers, Peaceful Petals’ bouquets are created from “florists’ choice blooms”. Instead of having a large quantity of red roses shipped in, the shop will have roses in reds and pinks and lavenders combined with other flowers like Ranunculus and pretty fillers. Taylor tries to keep the bouquets unique, special and exciting.
This quick survey suggests that Valentine’s Day is still special, exciting and a welcome business boost.
A Valentine’s Day Tai Chi class part of Jing Ying’s Lunar New Year celebration
Beginning February 1, the Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi began its month-long celebration of the Lunar New Year (known more popularly as the Chinese New Year). Based on a traditional lunisolar calendar, the Lunar New Year festival has been celebrated for centuries in China, South Korea, Tibet, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and elsewhere. The year 2022 is known as “The Year of the Tiger”.
According to owners Billy and Nancy Greer, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi has made Lunar New Year activities an important part of giving back to the local community for the past 22 years. Among activities planned for this year’s celebration is a free Valentine’s Day Tai Chi and Qigong Class exercise class on February 14 from 10:30 to 11:30 am.
Other in-person activities include a free Family Kung Fu Class on February 15 from 6:30 to 7:15 pm and a Chinese Calligraphy Class on February 25 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm for a cost of $5 to cover the cost of supplies.
For information on these or other events, visit Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park (jingying.org)
