Red is the color of Valentine’s Day, but for some local businesses it is a day in the black.

Cathleen Baglay, manager of Thornebrook Chocolates in Gainesville, said Valentine’s Day is the busiest day of the year.

“It’s like having a month in a single day,” she said.

Betsy Gardner, owner of The Plant Shoppe Florist in Gainesville, said her store sees quadruple its normal business on Valentine’s Day.

Baglay said Valentine’s Day isn’t just a day for couples. It is a day for love in general, she said.

“You see a lot of people just celebrating love,” she said. “Gifts to the children, gifts to their friends, gifts to the teachers …”

“It’s a great way just to show somebody you care.”

Billy Kennedy wrote this story online.