No Rush, It’S Not Til Tomorrow Valentine Shoppers (Ahem, Guys) Expected In Droves

Dillydallying shoppers should expect Monday’s V-Day to feel something like D-Day.

As a rule, when Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday, last-second shoppers come out in force, merchants say.

While some tender hearts are ahead of the curve, many will be hoping to grab something during their lunch hour Monday.

Expect lines. Plan for delays. It’s a guy thing.

“There are people today who aren’t thinking about it,” said Todd Davis, owner of the four Spokandy candy shops in Spokane, on Saturday. “It’s going to be real hard for people on Monday.” And experience tells him that about 80 percent of those people will be men, Davis said.

“Being a male myself, I just think we tend to put things off til the last minute,” he said.

On Monday, he’s staffing just about every employee. His stores will be loaded and ready.

Michelle Duncan, co-owner of the Party Palace in Spokane agrees Monday will be hectic.

Her store’s been busy all week, but the boom hasn’t really hit yet.

“I think it will be real last-minute,” Duncan said. “I’m expecting a lot of walk-ups.”

Terri Stravens, owner of four Just Roses shops in Spokane and two in Boise, said the last Valentine’s Day that fell on a Monday followed the same pattern.

If the holiday’s later in the week, deliveries are heavy in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, Stravens said.

“Nobody likes getting their flowers on a Sunday,” Stravens said. To prepare for expected walk-up traffic Monday, her staff will pre-make about 100 arrangements.

As with most Valentine’s Days, there are some orders that take your breath away.

One man ordered 16 dozen long-stem rose arrangements for his wife, one for each year of marriage.

One man asked Just Roses to deliver an arrangement to the Bayou Brewing Co. today when he plans to propose to his girlfriend during dinner.

If the mood to wed is overwhelming Monday, couples can tie the knot at the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel in Coeur d’Alene.

“Valentine’s Day is always one of the busiest days of the year,” said the Rev. Don Knap, co-owner with his wife.

Most people call ahead, but Knap is prepared for unexpected drop-ins. Three pastors will be on duty for most of Monday and extra chapel rooms have opened.

“I don’t want to tell someone that we’re booked solid and come back tomorrow. If they want to be married on Valentine’s Day, we’ll do the best we can. We’ll stay until everyone has been served.”