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Florists are hoping business will be coming up roses this Valentine’s Day despite the wilting economy.

Don Clemmons is cutting the price on an arrangement of a dozen long-stem roses from $75 to $69.95 to try to entice customers.

“I’m optimistic,” said Clemmons, whose family-run business in Greensboro was founded 54 years ago. “I’m also realistic.”

Florists in this area typically charge in the mid-$70s for a dozen long-stemmed roses arranged in a vase for Valentine’s Day, although that price can vary.

At Designs North Florist in Greensboro, $5 will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation if you buy a dozen pink roses for $79.95. They’ll come in a pink, frosted vase.

Those on a tighter budget might want to consider places including your local grocery store, although you’ll want to check for freshness and quality.

You can also try a different variety of flower to save some dough, such as tulips or spring bouquets.

Many florists are also branching out, selling cheaper Valentine’s gifts such as plants, teddy bears and balloons.

But local florists remain hopeful.

“North Carolina seems to be holding pretty steady for most of the floral people I spoke to,” said Cindy Tole, owner of Botanica Flowers & Gifts in Greensboro and president of the N.C. State Florists Association.

Valentine’s Day is also on a Saturday this year. But expect floral deliveries to the office a day or so earlier, bad economy or otherwise.

“It’s really the guys who want that significant other to feel special at work — to feel like the queen for the day,” said Andy Jackson, who owns Send Your Love Florist & Gifts in Greensboro with his wife Bethany.

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Doug Melton kept a close eye on the economy in recently deciding to open Movie Go-round, a used DVD and Blu-ray store in Greensboro.

“I think one of the advantages of doing this business is in a difficult economy folks are looking for an entertainment value,” the 55-year-old Climax resident said.

Eighty percent of his more than 1,200 used movie titles inside his store at 2821 Battleground Ave. are $5 each. He’s currently holding a grand opening special: 3 for $12.

Customers can also munch on a free bag of popcorn while browsing.

Besides movies, Melton sells board games and offers other services, such as converting home movies onto DVDs and removing scratches from CDs and DVDs.

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You can still enter a contest to win a $25 coupon book.

E-mail your entries to michael.fuchs@news-record.com or mail them to: News & Record, c/o Mike Fuchs, 200 E. Market St., Greensboro, NC 27420.

Please include the craziest thing you’ve done to save a buck, your full name, hometown and a way we can reach you to verify your identity.

Deadline is noon Tuesday.

We’ll announce the winner at the Bargain Blog at news-record.com and reprint some of the entries in the next Savvy Shopper column Feb. 15.

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Do you have a retail news or shopping tips for Savvy Shopper? Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or
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