The struggling economy is crippling companies throughout the country, but it isn't having the same effect on local restaurants' and flower shops' Valentine's Day sales.
Several popular Valentine's Day restaurants aren't seeing much difference this year.
Marcia Thompson, co-owner of the White River Landing, said she wasn't worried about getting less business on Valentine's Day despite having fewer reservations than previous years. She said she expected people to walk in like a normal business day.
"I'm going to assume the men in this world are going to take their girlfriends out," she said.
Vicki Fisher, co-owner of Bella Avanti, said people would still spend money for special occasions despite the economic recession.
She said her restaurant was booked for Valentine's Day three days ahead, the quickest in its three-year existence. She said she expected to be full Saturday, just not early.
Kent Shuff, co-owner of Vera Mae's Bistro, said people are making reservations earlier this year as well. He said he was worried before getting reservations for about 50 more people than last year.
Fisher said a possible reason for local restaurants getting good business on Valentine's Day could be that people are choosing to stay in Muncie rather than going to Indianapolis for the day.
On top of that, Shuff said, people in Muncie don't have many options for interesting, upscale restaurants.
Flower shops have been doing well with Valentine's Day sales as well.
Joe Whalen, owner of Landmark Florist, said he's seen about $10 to $20 less in sales per customer near Valentine's Day than in previous years but was able to counter the effect. He anticipated less business this year so he didn't buy as much inventory and bought more less-expensive flowers that are usually popular.
Judy Benken, owner of Normandy Flower Shop Inc. said Valentine's Day business has done as well as previous years and people are spending as much as usual.
"I guess it's love," she said.
Benken was worried because her business has been struggling in recent months, she said, and she wasn't sure what to expect.
Fisher said she has been through a recession before. Businesses will be fine as long as they're careful how they market special occasions to maximize business, she said.
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