NORWICH – With the arrival of Valentine’s Day, small businesses citywide are preparing for a busy day, hoping to bring in the patronage of local romantics who have been struck by cupid’s arrow.

For Rick Williams, owner of Pires Flower Shop on Rt. 12, Valentine’s Day means hectic work days and long hours. Williams and his employees frantically assembled floral arrangements yesterday and will be making deliveries throughout the day that he said is “the busiest single day of the year,” topped only by Mother’s Day. Since Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday this year, Williams said he has read estimates of a 19 to 27 percent sales increase for floral businesses today.

“We usually sell as many as 10,000 roses every year,” Williams said, citing that red roses are the flower of choice on Valentine’s Day. This year, that number has increased. Yesterday, roses sold out and a new delivery of roses earlier this morning was needed to fill many pending orders.

Of course, Williams is not the only local entrepreneur who benefits from this annual day of romance. Sharon Jeffer, owner of The Parson’s Daughter on West Park Place, was open extended hours for Valentine’s Day. Yesterday, a steady stream of customers bought candy or a unique bouquet of assorted chocolates. Paul and Julie Koch, avid shoppers at The Parson’s Daughter, were inside looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.