Small businesses still have options for Valentine's Day

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — If you're panicking about what to get that special someone for Valentine's Day, you're not alone. Local businesses said they see last minute purchases every year. WAND News talked to businesses that still have options for day-of shoppers.

The Flower Factor in Springfield opened in November. Co-owner Henry Cronister has been surprised by how many people have called to order flowers in just the last week.

"Valentine's Day is one of the holidays guys are usually in charge of and a lot of them tend to be last minute," said Cronister. "I'll get a few orders in January and then this week here they really start pouring in. Today the phones just ring and ring and ring and tomorrow it will be even worse."

But Cronister is prepared and purchased more flowers than he thought he would need to make sure he could take on some of these last minute orders. He said the profits he'll make this week will keep the business up and running until his next busiest day, Mother's Day.

"Valentine's Day gets us settled for the next few months of winter when it really gets slow," said Cronister.

That's why Cronister said it is really crucial for people to choose small businesses over chain or corporate flower shops.

Golden Hour Bake House also opened up recently and is relying on Valentine's Day purchases to get their name out to the public. Their specialty holiday menu includes treats like conversation heart sugar cookies and brownies that were made in-store today.

"We have chocolate covered strawberries and we make them in-house," said owner Alli Donaldson. "So if you go to somewhere like a big chain grocery store or anything like that, they're just things that they're getting shipped in that are frozen."

Donaldson says small business owners like her rely on the community to support them, especially when it comes to holiday purchasing. Golden Hour Bake House will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Valentine's Day.