Local Shops Showcase Valentine's Day Treasures

Valentine’s Day is only hours away, and if you are a hopeless romantic that is hopelessly looking for last minute gifts, a number of Shores businesses have gift ideas that will put a sparkle in that special someone’s eye.

Flowers are a classic choice, and Frank Viviano, owner of said men tend to be traditionalists.

“For the floral industry Valentine’s Day is generally all about roses,” he said. “A large percentage of our customers this week are going to be men, and by and large, men like to play it safe, and they know they can’t go wrong with red roses.”

Women, who may be buying for a special boyfriend, mom, auntie or a special friend, favor flowers in traditional Valentine’s Day colors as well as special arrangements like the "Heart and Soul," which is a mixture of orange, pink and yellow roses.

“Women really do like more colorful things, and are very receptive to receiving a variety of things, more than just red roses,” Viviano said.

At . the store’s exclusive "Epic Roses" are red-hot this time of year. The towering blooms, which average five to six feet tall are often taller than their delighted recipients.

For a more permanent keepsake owner Frank Mancuso suggests the Lenox celebration bag, which is delivered in a Lenox box with certificate of authenticity and can hold a variety of floral arrangements.

“We always try to find the exclusive items you can’t find anywhere else … people want to be unique,” Mancuso said.

For the shopper whose sweetie’s heart is set on jewelry, is suggesting the Chamilia silver charm bracelets, which are appealing to girls as young as eight and equally welcomed by teens and women up to and including seniors.

Alexander Apess, one of the owner’s sons, explained that with the sluggish economy, many customers seek items that are unique but less costly.

Buyers can start with the basic bracelet and one charm, or purchase three charms and get the fourth one free until month’s end.

Gift shops are a great place to find something for everybody on the Valentine’s Day shopping list. At shoppers can find jewelry, watches, cards, Willow Tree figurines, candy, cookies and for the younger set, talking story books, talking bears and the ever-popular Snoopy.

Owner Jan Ropes said the holiday is the second or third biggest in terms of total annual sales.

“(It’s) a major celebration for our customers,” Ropes said. “It gives people a chance to say ‘I love you’ to people that are important in their lives.”

Food is said to be the way to a man’s heart, but women also love palate-pleasing surprises, particularly chocolates.

In neighboring Eastpointe, the Morley’s Sanders Shop offers old-fashioned chocolates and candy.

“It’s all top-of-the-line ingredients,” said Ginger Lawrence, manager of the Eastpointe Morley’s. “It’s really the best and we have had people who’ve been shopping here for 50 years.”