West Michigan Shops Gear Up for Valentine's Day Rush

Flowers, sweet treats in high demand as holiday approaches

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Shops across West Michigan are preparing for a surge in Valentine's Day orders, with florists like Ambati Flowers in Kalamazoo working around the clock to cut, arrange, and deliver an influx of flower orders, especially classic red roses. Bakeries and confectioners are also gearing up to meet the demand for sweet treats to celebrate the holiday.

Why it matters

Valentine's Day is a major retail event, with consumers spending billions each year on flowers, chocolates, and other gifts. For small businesses like Ambati Flowers, the holiday can make or break their year, so preparing adequately is crucial. The annual rush highlights the importance of these local shops to the community and the role they play in bringing people together to celebrate love and relationships.

The details

Ambati Flowers, a 45-year-old business in Kalamazoo, is working overtime to fulfill a surge of Valentine's Day orders. The shop is cutting flowers, treating them with a "magic solution" to extend their lifespan, and assembling bouquets to meet the high demand. Owner Ardis Lielzuika says Valentines Day orders are at least five times higher than any other time of the year, with classic red roses remaining a popular choice.

  • Ambati Flowers has been in business for 45 years.
  • The Valentine's Day order rush started months ago for the shop.

The players

Ambati Flowers

A 45-year-old flower shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan that is preparing for a major Valentine's Day order surge.

Ardis Lielzuika

The owner of Ambati Flowers who says Valentine's Day orders are at least five times higher than any other time of the year.

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What they’re saying

“It is heartwarming and it's encouraging, you know, to see the people over again. I mean we've seen people, their children, grown up, getting married and so forth. So it is. It's heart warming and very encouraging.”

— Ardis Lielzuika, Owner, Ambati Flowers (WWMT)

The takeaway

The annual Valentine's Day rush highlights the importance of local small businesses like Ambati Flowers to the community. These shops play a vital role in bringing people together to celebrate love and relationships, even as larger retail chains continue to dominate the market.