SHAWNEE, Kan. — Two of Kansas City’s oldest businesses were all about the love on Saturday. Valentine’s Day is an economic cornerstone for both Hallmark and Russell Stover Candies.
The two companies have been dishing out the sweetness in the metro since the early 1900’s.
When Russell Stover opened his small candy store in Kansas City in 1925, he probably never envisioned this.
“For the three days of valentines, all the KC stores will do about 40 thousand berries,” said Christi Jones of Russell Stover’s.
Forty thousand berries hand-dipped in Russell Stover’s famous chocolate recipe. They are best sellers in the stores. And Russell Stover’s seven ounce heart shaped box of chocolates is the number one selling of any in the country. Employees say it makes Valentine’s Day at the store amazing.
“Last year we had a proposal inside the store. We’ve had barbershop quartets in here before. It’s a lot of fun because everyone is doing something special for the person they care about,” said Jones.
For Hallmark cards the valentine tradition goes back even farther; to 1913, when Joyce Clyde Hall sold his first valentine card right here in Kansas City.
“This year our stores alone have 15 hundred different designs for valentine’s cards,” said Caye Crosswhite of Hallmark.
And the love extends way beyond sweethearts. The techno plush is popular with the teenage set. There are socks for your brother, hugs and kisses for your mother and an isle of wife cards still available for that last minute lover.
“Since I’ve done this so many times I zero in on what I think might be appropriate,” said last minute shopper Bill Strutz.
“Today is the busiest wife card day there is. The men will be shoulder to shoulder trying to find that last minute card,” said Crosswhite.
It’s lucky Hallmark has refined the valentine experience because along with the card, you can now get roses, jewelry and even a singing puppy.
Thanks to a determined Mr. Stover and a young Mr. Hall for making Valentine’s Day extra special in Kansas City.
The Halls family started using the name “Hallmark” on the back of their cards in 1928 as a seal of quality.