Check out these sweet ideas for romantic treats

This weekend many people will have been out buying gifts for their spouses or sweethearts in time for Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14.

It's not too late to pick up some romantic fare as we found out when we visited a few spots around the Sault. 

Typical gifts include chocolate, cakes, jewellery, a romantic dinner, champagne and flowers.

For Denise Kennedy, Rome’s Independent Grocer floral manager, it’s the busiest time of the year.

“It’s usually a three-day dilemma.  You get all these guys running in for roses and bouquets, it’s pretty hectic…Valentine’s Day is the busiest day,” Kennedy smiled.

“We sell hundreds of bouquets and roses for Valentine’s…we just sell, sell, sell.  For those three days it’s morning till night, right up until Valentine’s Day around six o’clock.”

And that’s just over the counter.

Kennedy said she receives many special order requests from men for Valentine’s Day, which are then specially delivered by Rome’s.  

“They have them delivered to their wives or girlfriends, to the girls offices, it’s a busy day for our delivery service…a lot of them come in and they know exactly what they want, there are some sweethearts that come in here weekly and buy their wives flowers, it’s amazing.”

“Usually we sell a dozen red roses, or a mixed bouquet, and they’re beautiful.”

Mixed bouquets typically consist of roses, chrysanthemums, spider mums and carnations.

Kennedy said after Valentine’s Day, wives and girlfriends often drop into the store and comment on the beauty of the flowers they received and how they can last for “weeks.”

Then of course, ‘there’s sweets for the sweet.’

“We do see an increase in business…we do have Valentine’s cakes and cupcakes we decorate for the occasion, and they sell well,” said Nancy Ferland, Rome’s Independent Grocer bakery manager.

The staff at the Sault’s Superior Home Bakery, Paul’s Bakery and Pino’s Get Fresh Foods all agree Valentine’s Day is a busy and profitable occasion.

“The pastries, desserts, chocolate covered strawberries are huge sellers, it gets pretty busy in here.  We dedicate a lot of time to Valentine’s themed cakes and desserts, there are custom orders from customers and cakes for the counter which we order in,” said Stephanie Whitaker of Pino’s Get Fresh Foods bakery.

“It’s certainly busy for us.”