Eastern Iowa Businesses Prepare for Big Spending on Valentine’s Day

By Jill Kasparie, Reporter

Tools

By Lauren Peikoff

Story Created: Feb 8, 2012 at 8:33 AM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2012 at 12:01 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – If you could put a price tag on love in the U.S., it would add up to $17.6 billion. A survey by the National Retail Federation shows that’s how much Americans will spend this Valentine’s Day.

It’s a hefty increase over last year. Instead of $116 on average, consumers will spend $126 dollars, which is up 8.5 percent

Many Eastern Iowa businesses are vying for the extra Valentine’s Day cash. They’re working hard to prepare for the big day. “It’s starting to pick up,” said Kathy’s Pies Baker Terri Weyland-Henecke.

Love is in the air at Kathy’s Pies in Downtown Cedar Rapids. The scent of sugar cookies filled the shop. “I just airbrush hearts on frosting, pink and white frosting and purple frosting, and we do some heart sprinkles on our cupcakes,” Weyland-Henecke said.

People have already requested 12 dozen of the edible Valentine’s for the 14th.

Weyland-Henecke said the orders are just the beginning. “[I expect] one hundred dozen the day before and the day of [Valentine's Day], together,” Weyland-Henecke said.

Down the road at Siegel’s Jewelry, clerks have the store decked out. They’re ready to shine their way to the top of your Valentine’s Day shopping list with gold and diamonds.

“It’s usually about double the normal month as far as sales, this week and the beginning of next week. We’ll have a bit of a mad rush,” said Owner of Siegel’s Jewelry Ken Siegel.

The store owner said he has noticed shoppers are more optimistic about the economy lately. Many store owners are hoping to see the trend of increased spending continue.

“You can’t go wrong with something from the heart,” Siegel said.

National Retail Foundation experts said the forecasted increase in spending on Valentine’s Day is a strong indication the economy is moving in the right direction.

Next Article Man Arrested for OWI with Zebra, Parrot in Front Seat of Truck

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.