Athens businesses gear up for an isolated Valentine’s Day

Court Street love. Graphic by Alejandro Figueroa.

While the pandemic is ongoing across the United States, local Athens businesses such as Hyacinth Bean Florist and Athens Bread Company are showing their love to customers by updating their protective measures to keep all customers and employees safe during the Valentine’s Day holiday.

Limiting the number of people within stores and more frequent sanitization have become a new normal for Hyacinth Bean Florist, according to owner Polly Creech. The same can be said for Athens Bread Company, according to Tessa Wilkes, a baker.

Athens Bread Company has also implemented more protective gear since the start of the pandemic.

“We use a lot more hand sanitizer. We wear gloves and masks, and we also try to stagger the shifts as much as we can,” Wilkes said.

Tessa and the other workers at Athens Bread Company want to keep their customers as well as owner Doug Wistendahl safe.

“We think about him a lot, because he has to come into the shop and come in contact with us," Wilkes said. "So, we really try to make sure we are being safe, both within the confines of the bakery and in our personal lives."

Within the flower shop, Creech said she showcases various types of plants, flowers and local artistry. So far this year, Hyacinth’s sales have been lower, but she said that is normal. 

“It is normal for Valentine’s Day sales to be down when Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday, because frequently, men will send flowers to women at their offices or places of work, but since it falls on a Sunday, they are not prone to do that,” she said.

She also believes sales are down due to customers not wanting to wait in line because of the in-store limitations. 

It has also become more frequent for customers to buy plants instead of flowers, Creech said.

“Many customers come in and say ‘I want to buy a new plant’ because their sense of isolation is getting to them, and they want to have something to take care of,” Creech said.

On top of Valentine’s Day sales, Creech added that year-round sales have been up due to the uptick in gift-giving during the pandemic.

The Athens Bread Company has also benefited from the new wave of take-out. 

“It is kind of working in our favor since we do only offer carry-out. The customers can also come up to the side window instead of coming inside,” Wilkes said.

Wilkes added, “It’s important to support local businesses, keep the community thriving and keep the movement going.”