BOSTON (CBS) — Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker declared next week to be ‘Valentine’s week,’ encouraging residents to buy from small businesses that have taken a hit from the severe weather.

The storms have been especially difficult on small business owners since customers have not been able to make it into shops, Baker said.

Baker encouraged residents to go out more often and “bring some life and some vitality back into your community,” he said at a press conference Friday.

“Whereas the spirit of Valentine’s Day is the expression of kindness, friendship and support and need not be limited to just one day,” Baker’s official state proclamation states.

Valentines week overlaps with schools’ February break. Baker said this overlap will purposefully allow for adults and kids to enjoy community activities.

“Buy your loved one something nice, not just tomorrow, but a few times next week,” Baker said.

“After the kind of month we’ve had, we’ve all earned it,” he said.

WBZ-TV’s Katie Brace reports



Boston’s Mayor Marty Walsh also encouraged people to shop local by promoting #LoveonMain on Twitter.

“If you go out to dinner, use your local businesses, if you’re buying candy, flowers, gifts,” Mayor Walsh said in a public statement Thursday.

Some people decided to celebrate early. Sarah Fox and her husband moved up their Valentine’s Day to Friday the 13th. “With the snow coming we’re going today,” Fox said.

She was also able to move her hair appointment. “Probably 25 tried to push in tonight and that’s a small time frame between 5 and 7:30,” said Lynn Eliopoulos, at Unique Salon in West Roxbury.

West on Centre, also in West Roxbury, pointed to the impending snow for an increase in Friday customers. They are also preparing their tables for early romantic dinners.

“A lot of our later reservations, our 8 and 9 reservations have moved up to 4, 4:30, 5 so will have a very early hit tomorrow,” said West on Centre owner Eleanor Greene.

WBZ-TV’s Katie Brace contributed to this report.