Cupid started early this year.
Jewellry, flowers, chocolate and lingerie has been flying off the shelves in the city’s stores.
It’s no wonder because Red Deer has a reputation to uphold.
Last week the online retailer, Amazon.ca, ranked Red Deer the 12th most romantic city in Canada.
“Why not,” laughed Sherry Heffernan, general manager of Mitchell and Jewell.
“We’re a very pretty city with the trails and the rivers. There’s a lot of spots that are perfect for romance, and (they) make you feel you are not necessarily in the city.”
The online retailer compared sales data of romance novels, sex and relationship books, romantic comedy DVDs and Michael Bublé CDs on a per capita basis in cities with more than 80,000 residents.
Out of the 20 cities, the top places named for romance were Ontario cities Kingston and Guelph followed by Kelowna, B.C. in third spot.
Calgary flirted to the eighth spot as the only other Albertan city on the list.
Some of the must-do romantic activities for lovers in the city are horse-drawn carriage rides around Heritage Ranch, paddle boat rides or skating on Bower Ponds, casual and formal dining and walks along the Red Deer River.
Heffernan said shoppers with love in their eyes have been streaming through the jewellry store’s doors since the end of January to pick up something for that special someone.
“It started a bit earlier this year,” said Heffernan.
“We’ve been quite steady for the last 10 days here. It’s usually very last minute.”
Lovers have been picking up just about any piece of jewellery shaped like a heart. She is not aware of any engagement rings sold yet but there’s still time.
Sandy Audibert, owner of Something Country Flowers and Gifts on Gaetz Ave., said business has been booming with steady orders coming in daily because you just can’t say Valentine’s Day without flowers.
“Flowers are beautiful,” said Audibert.
“Everybody likes flowers. They make you smile.”
She said the real flower rush will be on Valentine’s Day when lovers pick up orders and her crews deliver the roses, bouquets and gifts to offices and homes across the city.
Likewise the sweet stuff continue to be a part of the romantic rush.
Cassandra Collins of Chocolaterie Bernard Callehaut in the Red Deer Village Mall said there are certainly those who plan ahead but the bulk of the shoppers will do the last minute dash on Monday and Tuesday.
Collins was not surprised to learn Red Deer was a city of romance.
“It’s still got that small town feel with big city access and it just allows for a lot of intimacy,” said Collins.
Jen Boukall, manager of The Love Boutique’s south location, said her shop has been busier earlier than usual leading up to the most romantic day of the year.
Lingerie, massage oils, games and adult toys are some of the popular items on cupid’s list from her store.
She gives a word of advice for the guys shopping for lingerie, “know the size.”
“Women love to wear lingerie,” she said.
“Women love to feel pretty.”
Boukall said Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to spice up and enhance your sex and love life.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com