THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502100249
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Long : 238 lines
IF YOU'RE PLAYING Cupid with flowers, chocolates, diamonds or romantic dinners this Valentine's Day, you are a traditional American sweetheart.
Locally, florists say flowers are a perennial favorite, candy - especially anything heart shaped - is a winner and so are gemstones. Diamonds, it seems, are still a girl's best friend.
That doesn't mean there's not room for creative expressions of love. The '90s now offer personal computerized E-mail cards. The wish list for these changing times also includes cruises, baby sitters, makeovers and maid service.
Whatever you decide, your loved one is not the only one who gets a treat. Some Virginia Beach retailers say Valentine's Day is one of their biggest sales events of the year.
Roses may be the traditional valentine flower nationwide, but roses lose out to spring bouquets for valentines at Flowers-Wayne Jones.
``Most of our orders are for mixed spring flowers . . . tulips, iris, daisies, freesias - wonderful fragrant romantic flowers,'' Jones said.
Before this holiday is over, Jones estimates his florist shop will sell 500 or so valentine surprises whether they're spring bouquets, vases of roses, blooming plants or other flowers. That's the largest one-day volume of the year for him. The same is true for other florists, too, he said.
``Valentine's is the biggest holiday because it is a one-day holiday,'' Jones explained. ``And everybody, no matter what their religion, buys flowers for valentines.''
They also buy candy. Last year Americans ate an average of 10 pounds of chocolate per person.
Valentine's Day is THE big candy holiday for the Ragged Robin gift shop on Laskin Road. Owner Bryn Todman said she has ordered between 400 and 500 pounds of Godiva chocolates, their specialty treat, for this Valentine's Day alone.
In the few days before the holiday (the days when most of the purchases are made, and most are made by men) she puts on more staff and everyone in the shop mans the candy counter.
``Anything that's heart shaped is our best seller,'' Todman said. ``We have a big heart-shaped bar, that's a best seller and little hearts with chocolate cream, that are best sellers.'' The candies range up to $29 per pound.
One place to go for homemade delicacies - including chocolate lips, a dozen chocolate roses or any of 1,500 molded chocolate shapes - is Party Cakes 'N Things on Kempsriver Drive. It's there that Marilyn Chilton creates just about any chocolate treat the heart and tummy desire.
Chilton's candies range from 75 cents for a chocolate lollipop to $1.25 for chocolate lips to the traditional heart shaped boxes for $6 to $12.
Forbes Candies, with about 30 varieties of candy including six kinds of fudge, takes the big day in stride. Bill Lawton, company president, said their biggest day of the year is the Fourth of July! ``We're a tourist business,'' he said.
But the counter help at the Dean Drive plant and outlet off Lynnhaven Parkway said, even if this isn't their major sale day, they're still plenty busy.
Of course, people like a little romance on Valentine's Day. And sexy, silky, slinky, skimpy, see-through lingerie just screams romance.
Or at least that's what scores of men are hoping. Local lingerie shops report brisk sales of negligees, teddies, garters, bra and pantie sets, camisoles and tap pants this time of year.
``There ought to be a lot of valentine babies the way the men are shopping,'' said Renee Landreth, manager of Tara Thunder on Witchduck Road. ``These guys have been shopping for the past week. It's almost as big as Christmas.''
Her big sellers are silk thongs rolled into roses; the merry widow, a corset-like item with a built in bra; and plus size lingerie.
``The men who come in here want something different and romantic,'' said Landreth, who describes her store as carrying more exotic fare.
At Satins & Lace at Hilltop West, classic is always in.
Owner Imogene Haigler believes her red lace bra and panty sets from Paris, at close to $100, will be red hot sellers this valentine season.
White lace is also always popular. ``It's feminine, very feminine,'' Haigler said.
And, she said, when asked if they have anything specific in mind, the usual male customer's response is, ``I want to get my wife out of that T-shirt.''
In the dwindling hours before Valentine's Day, the pace of business begins to pick up at jewelry stores. Many come ready to buy.
At Long Jewelers, a busy business tucked away in a Virginia Beach Boulevard shopping center, the pace has been furious.
``They buy everything, from diamond tennis bracelets, to gold chains, watches, estate jewelry, necklaces, rings. Just everything,'' said owner David Long.
``This year, we've sold a few diamond hearts, but we really don't sell a lot of them. Our real business won't start until the last few days before Valentine's Day. Most men wait to do their shopping on Monday or Tuesday. I hate to say that, but it's true.''
He added, ``Diamond jewelry out-sells everything.''
At Sandy's Touch of Gold, in the Hilltop East shopping center, the hot item this year is what's hot nearly every year: engagement rings.
``This is the time of year when people get engaged,'' said David E. Nygaard, owner of Sandy's Touch of Gold. Sandy is his mother's name.
``It's the day my parents got engaged. I met my wife on a blind date and six months later we were married. And my brother got engaged on Valentine's Day. Probably the No. 1 thing we sell now is engagement rings.''
In 17 years as a jeweler, Nygaard has seen all kinds of marriage proposals, but none quite so elaborate as the one he saw last month.
A man came to his store and bought a diamond engagement ring. Then he hatched a plan to present it to his prospective wife. He got the store to agree to clear out a display case.
In place of the jewelry, he put a dozen red roses, a couple of special mementos - things the couple had talked about such as items she wanted on the wedding cake - and into this display went the diamond ring with a note.
``Will you marry me?'' it read.
Then, unsuspecting, the woman accompanied the man into the store to look for rings when they happened upon the case.
``Well, she cried, and, of course, said `Yes,' '' Nygaard said.
If that's not incentive enough, here's another one.
Nygaard's company offers a guarantee for the marriage-minded that's worth knowing. Couples who buy an engagement ring from him and have the misfortune of having 2 inches of rain or more on their wedding day get their money back on the ring.
If you want to whisk your significant other away for a secluded and romantic overnight at the Oceanfront, celebrate Valentine's Day by booking a room or suite at a resort hotel or motel. A few inns are offering special packages.
One of them is the Quality Inn Oceanfront at 23rd Street at Atlantic Avenue. The hotel is offering two special packages, says front desk manager Jerry Guentner.
One is the ``super-saver,'' which offers couples rooms for $69 a night and comes with a bottle of champagne, a box of chocolates and a continental breakfast. The second is the ``dinner package,'' which goes for $104.95 a night, plus tax. The price includes the room for a night, champagne and box of chocolates and a dinner for two in the motel restaurant, the 23rd Street Bistro.
Also offering a Valentine Special is the Tradewinds hotel at 16th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Sales manager Barbara Brinson, who oversees marketing for the Colonial Inn at 29th Street as well, says the two properties are offering couples basically the same packages. At the Colonial Inn, sweethearts get champagne, flowers and breakfast. And, for an additional $39, they get a fancy dinner for two at Cary's Restaurant, the hotel eatery, said Brinson.
Champagne, flowers and breakfast are provided at the Tradewinds as well, said Brinson, but guests are offered two-room suites with jacuzzis.
Jonathon Bogatay, director of marketing for Tidewater Inn Management, said his group hasn't advertised or offered special packages, but he expects business to pick up slightly as Valentine's Day approaches. Whether or not this happens, really doesn't matter, he said. TIM properties are booking scores of whale watchers who come to Virginia Beach to ogle the great humpbacks that visit the Virginia coast during winter months.
On Valentine's Day, many people turn to something more substantial than chocolates - dinner.
At the homey Three Ships Inn, nestled among tall trees off Shore Drive, the day for lovers is always packed. Tables are set with candles and flowers and the fireplaces emit a warm, romantic glow over the 150 seats. Owner Les Rickman said that they'll turn away four to five times the number of people they serve.
``We don't really push to turn over tables,'' he said. ``We'll probably serve 300 dinners. It's dining as opposed to going out to eat.
``It's always a good idea to make reservations,'' he added.
Le Chambord and the Bistro on Great Neck Road will have two seatings on Valentine's Day, at 6 and 8:15 p.m., to handle the expected crowd. Manager Kathleen Faulhaber said that they will be offering specials, but it will be the same menu in both restaurants.
``We get a lot of repeat business on Valentine's Day,'' she said. ``It's definitely by reservation.''
In a completely nontraditional twist, computer users may find that online services are the gateway to a loved one's heart.
For a new variation on the traditional valentine, some services offer electronic ones. Subscribers can select from a variety of styles and sentiments, either funny or sincere. Some come with animation and music. And they can be lifesavers for the forgetful or those prone to procrastination.
Some online services even offer subscribers a chance to order valentine gifts - such as flowers, chocolates, teddy bears or even songs - from home or office, 24 hours a day. Pictures of flower arrangements can be displayed to assist in making choices.
Not all online services offer such options, but anyone with an Internet account can send a message of love electronically. Harkening back to those handmade hearts in fourth grade, they can simply design and compose a computer valentine and send it by E-mail. The message will be waiting the next time a true love logs on.
In addition, some Beach residents aren't shy about coming right out and saying what they want.
There's Margie Bolts who wants a three-quarter carat diamond for her 22nd wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day; Susan Austin who's getting a seven-day Caribbean cruise, but wants a marriage proposal; Tiffany Morrison of Windsor Oaks who wants something home made; and Barbara Hanman who would like her husband to arrange a weekend sitter and take her to New York City.
Laurie Susko's special gift would be to have her her car cleaned in exquisite detail inside and out. Others think neat gifts would be gift certificates (especially one for a full service beauty salon), cruises, having a wedding dress preserved, a maid for a day and a cellular phone.
And then there's Arlene Schmide. Her valentine gift wish is simple. ``An evening alone with my hubby, no child, no phone, no pagers, no fax, no copiers, no Xerox. Just him, just me and the bedroom.'' MEMO: Staff writers contributing to this story were Mary Reid Barrow, Marlene
Ford, Debbie Messina, Tom Holden, Bill Reed, Pam Starr, Alexis Smith and
Patricia Barnes.
The 'Singles Event of the Year'
If you think Cupid's arrow will miss you this Valentine's Day, don't
join the Lonely Hearts Club just yet.
You may still have a chance at romance when hundreds of area singles
gather for the ``Valentine's Night Singles Extravaganza'' from 8 p.m. to
midnight Tuesday at the Cavalier on the Hill.
The dance, billed as the ``singles event of the year,'' is being
hosted by Together Dating Service. Memberships to the service will not
be solicited at the dance, which is open to the public, said the
company's promotions director, Bill Bendetti.
``This is for people who are single, or couples, to get out and meet
each other with no pressure,'' said Bendetti. ``We've tried to offer
something for everyone.''
Singles and couples alike are invited to the dance, which will
feature live top 40s music by ``Sumpthin' Special,'' a strolling
violinist, a classical pianist, light hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and
free, romantic horse-drawn carriage rides.
An artist will be providing free caricatures, and two psychics will
be on hand to give personal readings for $15.
Dress is semi-formal and tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the
door. For Together members, the cost is $10. Major credit cards will be
accepted.
For tickets, or information, call 468-0832. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by CHARLIE MEADS
Last year, Americans ate an average of 10 pounds of chocolate per
person. This Valentine's Day candy, a white chocolate heart-shaped
box and chocolate roses, is the handiwork of Marilyn Chilton at
Party Cakes and Things.
Roses may be the traditional valentine flower nationwide, but they
lose out to spring bouquets at Flowers-Wayne Jones.
Staff photos by CHARLIE MEADS
LEFT: David Long of Long's Jewelers says: ``Our real business won't
start until the last few days before Valentine's Day. Most men wait
to do their shopping on Monday or Tuesday.'' RIGHT: Chocolate comes
in all shapes and sizes - and prices - at Marilyn Chilton's Party
Cakes 'N Things.
Imogene Haigler, owner of Satins & Lace at Hilltop West, says this
red lace bra and panty set from Paris, at close to $100, will be a
red hot seller this valentine season.
by CNB