Valentine’s Day Means Business

It's St. Valentine's Day, and while the religious calendars no longer observe this saint's day, lovers everywhere are expected to at the very least acknowledge one another with professions of affection, great and small.  

This so-called "holiday" is great for businesses. Valentine's Day sales reached $17.6 billion last year; this year's sales are expected to total $18.6 billion, according to NPR.org, which published findings from market research firm IBIS World. Certainly Hallmark and American Greetings win the day. 

In Wellesley, there are creative ways to spread the love to local establishments. While the perfect card for your honey may be scarce in the card section by now, there are things that you can do that "say it" simply. 

You may already have Valentine's Day plans with your sweetie and/or your family. You may already know that at one local eatery. For further proof that love is in bloom, look no further than Ming Tsai's where a hostess tells us that Valentine's evening reservations are completely booked.

At , a manager says the 4-year-old restaurant is also completely booked for Valentine's Day dinner. At , an assistant manager says there are reservations available at the last minute for the restaurant's four-course "tasting menu." He adds Milestone wants customers to "eat like Italians, not like tourists." The restaurant's special Valentine's day tasting menu at Milestone is $50 per person. 

The observance of Valentine's Day is all about roses. Florists count on the day for a large portion of their winter business. At  on Central Street, florist Margaret tells me, "Roses, roses, it's all about roses on Valentine's Day." She says one dozen roses will set you back $50. There is also a brisk floral business at Winston's on Central with some unique offerings.

For the last minute shopper, the floral departments inside  and supermarkets alwas see brisk sales on Valentine's day. If your sweetheart craves sweets to celebrate the day, Whole Foods has a variety of chocolate offerings, including Nirvana Chocolates, imported from Belgium. Nirvana, a Belgian chocolate importer with offices in Wellesley also offers its selections at and Bacon Street Farm Natick. 

And if jewelry is the way to your sweetie's heart, owner Vicki says her store is running a Valentine's special. Receive 20 percent off all freshwater pearls and Cape Cod jewelry. Gift shop Pine Straw offers a selection of unique artisan-made jewelry and Valentine themed gifts at their Washington Street location.

Welelsley's  on Central Street is holding its own jewelry sale, 20 percent off jewelry, along with an end-of-winter merchandise sale.