“Durant retailers prepare for Valentine’s Day”

Durant retailers prepare for Valentine’s Day

Posted: 12 Feb 2011 01:34 PM PST

by Leslie Boyd, Staff Writer Durant Daily Democrat

Deborah's Florist set up Valentine's Day displays to show what they offer for that special someone.

It's a busy time of year for florists and jewelry stores in Durant. Second only to Christmas, Valentine's Day proves to be a hectic day.

One flower shop in Durant, Deborah's Florist, said the moment they open their doors on Valentine's Day, they're already running. "Deliveries begin at 8:30 and we don't stop until every single one is made," Karen McKinney, a longtime employee of the flower shop, said. "We don't close until every delivery is made and no one else is walking in," McKinney added.

It's no surprise that the most popular flower of the holiday is the rose. McKinney estimated that Deborah's Florist will sell approximately 1,000 roses for Valentine's Day and around 100 mixed bouquets. That doesn't include flowers sold as a belated gift, or the last minute rush to get flowers.

To prepare for Valentine's Day, the flower shop sets up a special area for the special arrangements, collaborates with all area schools for delivery times, and line up extra hands to help. They work tirelessly on unique designs and try to be as creative as possible for Valentine's Day.

"We like to come up with something that's different," McKinney said.

They also open longer hours and more days. "We usually close early on Saturday, but this weekend we're staying open and we'll be open on Sunday as well," McKinney said.

Flower shops are not the only busy spots in Durant. Local jewelers are also gearing up for the holiday. Albert Curtis of Curtis Jewelry, said in the two weeks leading up to Valentine's Day he has sold approximately 20 engagement rings, but rings are not the top sellers. "I sell more earrings," Curtis said. "I sell a lot of friendship rings, promise rings, and engagements, but earrings are always my top seller."

Curtis is also taking extra steps to prepare for the holiday. "We're a full service store so we get ready to make custom stuff and resize and clean," Curtis said. "And we're opening on Sunday from noon to four. Especially after the weather hit, we want to be open for anyone else that wants to get a gift," Curtis said.

Bruce Johnson of Johnson's Jewelers said he orders hearts and rubies in preparation of the holiday. Like Curtis, Johnson sells many rings, but pendants and necklaces are his top sellers. "We sell a lot of those," Johnson said.

Other retailers in Durant are taking steps of preparations, offering special deals and other Valentine's Day things for anyone who wishes to buy a gift for loved ones, but it's the flower shops and jewelry stores that seem to see the most.

"It's as busy as Christmas, only Christmas is more spread out," McKinney said of Deborah's Florist. "We always get the last- minute rush. The guys that come in saying their wife or girlfriend called and said their coworker got flowers. We can make something for them. We can't necessarily get it delivered that day, but we can definitely get something made up for them to take," McKinney said.

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