Valentine’s Day is a day associated with friendship, romance and pink glitter that spreads everywhere. Starkville businesses have been getting involved with the spirit of the holiday by offering unique experiences and products to customers.
One way that Starkville businesses have been sharing the love is through the Cupid Shuffle, a Valentine’s promotion that helps local businesses. Cupid “shuffles” down to participating local businesses to offer discount cards to customers. This promotion is a project of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, an initiative that works to promote commercial growth in Starkville and Oktibbeha County.
“I came up with it three years ago,” director of Main Street Paige Watson said. “January is usually slow, but things start picking up again in February. We wanted to help local businesses.”
Some of the local businesses participating in the Cupid Shuffle are Fleur-de-Lis Flowers and Gifts, L.A. Green, Disc and That and Book Mart & Cafe. Shoppers were encouraged to check the StarkvilleMS instagram each day at 10 a.m. to find out which stores Cupid would land at that day.
Watson encountered a fan of the Cupid Shuffle promotion while walking to get lunch recently.
“I was going to Pita Pit, and I saw a lady I knew. She came up to me and told me she’d been watching our Instagram story to see where Cupid was going to be, and said she was excited to shop,” Watson said.
Book Mart & Cafe uses window displays to share the spirit of the holiday. Owner Cindy Williams described the displays.
“We have a Valentine’s Day landscape in the window. On one side, it features children’s books. On the other, it features adult books. It’s cute and fun,” Williams said.
The Book Mart & Cafe also offers dark or white chocolate-dipped strawberries for Valentine’s Day.
“They’re available for order even on Valentine’s Day,” Williams said. “We’re kind of known for offering these, now.”
The Pop Porium, another downtown business, noted an uptick in sales around Valentine’s Day.
“Popcorn tins seem to make a good gift for the guys,” owner of Pop Porium Rosa Dalomba said, laughing. “I see a lot of girls coming in here to get tins for their guys leading up to Valentine’s.” Dalomba plans to take advantage of the holiday in the future, increasing the store’s offerings for Valentine’s Day going forward.
“We will have many more options next year, for sure,” Dalomba said.
The Studio Barre and Wellness is offering a low-impact workout event. “Whether you’re in love with your best pal, best gal or yourself, you can celebrate the holiday with no strings attached. It’s a full-body, low-impact workout featuring your fave makeup, breakup, and love songs,” co-owner Jonette Shurden said.
“All bodies are welcome,” Shurden said, “And it’s open to non-members. It’s included in your free first week, or it’s $20 for drop-in.”
“It’s great for the independent girlies who don’t need no man,” instructor Grace Cockrell said. “Our main goal is to create an empowering relationship with exercise with methods rooted in physical therapy.”
Last year, Downtown Starkville was recognized by Main Street America as a Valentine’s destination. As Marta Olmos writes for Main Street America, “It’s easy to fall in love in Starkville!”
