Vermont Businesses Prepare for Valentine's Day Rush

Local shops gear up for their busiest time of year as consumer spending reaches record levels.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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With Valentine's Day on Saturday, Vermont businesses specializing in traditional gifts like chocolates and flowers are preparing for their busiest time of year. Small local shops like Snowflake Chocolates and Chappell's Florist are calling in extra staff, trimming and wrapping bouquets, and boxing up chocolate treats to meet the expected surge in consumer spending, which is projected to reach an all-time high.

Why it matters

Valentine's Day is a crucial sales period for small businesses in Vermont's retail sector, many of which rely on the holiday to drive a significant portion of their annual revenue. As consumer spending patterns continue to evolve, these local shops must adapt to ensure they can capitalize on the spike in demand while keeping prices reasonable for customers.

The details

Snowflake Chocolates owner Sharon Wintersteen said the next two days will be 'super crazy' as they work to fulfill orders. At Chappell's Florist, a dozen employees are busy arranging and wrapping bouquets to meet the rush. Lake Champlain Chocolates and Clayton Florists are also taking steps to manage the influx, with Meghan Fitzpatrick noting they try to 'keep prices reasonable' and Meredith Clayton acknowledging flowers are a 'luxury' purchase.

  • Valentine's Day is on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Snowflake Chocolates

A local Vermont chocolatier preparing for its busiest time of year around Valentine's Day.

Chappell's Florist

A Vermont flower shop that is calling in extra staff to handle the Valentine's Day rush.

Lake Champlain Chocolates

A Vermont-based chocolatier that is working to keep prices reasonable for customers during the Valentine's Day period.

Clayton Florists

A Vermont flower shop acknowledging that flowers are a 'luxury' purchase for many consumers around Valentine's Day.

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What they’re saying

“Today and tomorrow will be super crazy– that's the hope anyway.”

— Sharon Wintersteen, Owner, Snowflake Chocolates (WCAX)

“There's at least a dozen people working, either arranging, doing the cash register. I've been wrapping– not arranging, but wrapping flowers all day.”

— Avah Sweatt, Employee, Chappell's Florist (WCAX)

“We've tried to keep things pretty steady; we lock in contacts. We are very aware and try to keep prices reasonable for our customers.”

— Meghan Fitzpatrick, Lake Champlain Chocolates (WCAX)

“Flowers are a luxury thing for sure. Hopefully, it's a luxury that people continue to decide is still worth it.”

— Meredith Clayton, Clayton Florists (WCAX)

What’s next

Businesses will continue to monitor sales and consumer demand in the days leading up to and following Valentine's Day to assess the overall success of the holiday shopping season.

The takeaway

Vermont's small businesses are working hard to meet the surge in consumer demand for traditional Valentine's Day gifts, highlighting the importance of the holiday for the state's retail sector. As spending patterns evolve, these local shops must balance meeting customer expectations with maintaining reasonable prices to remain competitive.