Snow Hurts Valentine's Day Business

The snow put a damper on sales for businesses which were hoping for a big Valentine’s Day.

As the snow started to collect outside, things were cooling off in the dining room at Goodfellas Restaurant on what’s supposed to be one of the most important days of the year.

“Valentine’s Day is more of a, especially this year, it’s a whole weekend thing. Unfortunately the weather put a little dampening on things. You know, people are cancelling left and right,” says Gennaro Iannaccone, owner of Goodfellas Restaurant.

Iannaccone says a third of their reservations Saturday backed out, losing both the 9 and 10:30 seatings.

Saturday was supposed to have turned things around after what’s been a recently rough season.

“All the restaurants look to make this up. So, Valentine’s Day is always a day where you try to make up for the days you were closed for the weather for storms and stuff like that. Unfortunately, we’re going to be half closed today too,” says Iannaccone.

There were still people who braved the conditions for a special dinner.

“We’re pretty good. We don’t live too far and we have four-wheel drive,” says Jill Buffum, from East Haven.

Restaurants are hopeful people will celebrate the day when it’s a little warmer.

“To all the restaurants out there, I feel your pain. Just hang in there. We’ll all do alright. We’ll get through it,” says Iannaccone.

The National Retail Federation says the average person was expected to spend about $140 on Valentine’s Day, though that of course could be impacted by the snow.
 

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