CLEVELAND, Ohio — The intoxicating smell of chocolate hangs in the air at Mitchell's Fine Chocolates in Cleveland Heights, but according to co-owner Emily Bean, the lead-up to their 84th Valentines Day brings something else.
"We start getting a little tense. We try to prepare as much as we can, but we feel it's the most unpredictable holiday. People forget. It's very last minute." she said.
But they'll be ready, even with higher costs of everything from pecans to packaging, "I just can't pass that charge along to my customers so it has been hard to sort of pivot to keep the costs about the same."
Meanwhile, at Pawlak's Florist in Parma, the cooler is bursting with vases and blooms. In this family owned floral shop, love conquers all. Almost.
"It's an issue of supply and demand. Our suppliers raise the price on us because there is such a huge demand for roses on Valentines Day, so we go up about $10 a dozen."
But Pawlak's has as many gift options as they have flowers, including the state flower of Ohio, the carnation. They're beautiful and about half the cost of roses.
Even if you just buy a single flower for a few dollars and your loved one sees that every day, they really see that you care and it just makes you smile
A gift given from the heart is always worth it, regardless of its cost. Support local everyone!