Valentine’s Day do-over proves to be a dud

The evacuation one month ago clogged roadways, emptied gas stations and canceled Valentine’s Day dinner plans. The Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Valentine’s Day Do-Over Tuesday to help the local businesses affected by the evacuation.

But it seemed to be a relatively slow day.

An employee with the Yuba City Edible Arrangements said as of Tuesday afternoon, only one person had ordered the DoOver special. Cameo Arrasmith, owner of Sawyer’s Sweet Spot, said no one had ordered any of the chocolatecovered strawberries on special for the day.

“Maybe people aren’t that interested in it,” Arrasmith said.

Arrasmith said the chocolate shop had close to 40 pre-orders for the strawberries the first time around; but lost about half of them due to the evacuation.

Edgar Olivares, district manager for NS Fit, said he also didn’t see many people taking advantage of the free two-week pass special for the Do-Over. He said the evacuation “absolutely” affected the business.

“We closed for two days,” Olivares said. “There were a lot of people against us closing, saying it wasn’t a serious enough emergency.”

In an Appeal-Democrat Facebook post, readers shared their opinions about the Do-Over event.

Amy Galkin said she and her husband made the most of their Valentine’s Day when the evacuation order was lifted. After bathing their cat, which had gotten carsick on the way home, the couple waited 30 minutes in a long line at the Taco Bell drive-thru.

“Valentine’s Day should be about spending time together not how fancy your date is,” Galkin wrote. “If local businesses want to put on an event, that’s fine. I just found this Valentine’s Day very memorable and don’t need a do over.”

Jo Ann Daniel said the day is done and gone, and a do-over is unnecessary. Hollie Simmons Farringon said she and her husband would celebrate Feb. 14, 2018.

Darlene Morris Hagen said while she and her husband were able to celebrate the day elsewhere, she doesn’t believe there’s a reason for a do-over.

“No need for us either. My husband’s birthday was the 12th and we evacuated to Rocklin and then to Richmond,” Hagen wrote. “It’s never about buying or hype. It’s essentially a made-up holiday to us.”