Marcia Hultman

Cabinet Secretary

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South Dakota e-Labor Bulletin

January 2025

Valentine's Day: sharing the love with South Dakota businesses

With just two weeks left until Valentine’s Day, we thought some ideas may be helpful for showing the love to your special someone. We gathered some fun labor market facts to serve as hints for you. You can get that warm feeling in your heart too, knowing you're supporting South Dakota businesses while making your partner feel special.

❤️ Maybe not everything is coming up roses, but fresh flowers are hard to beat as a classic Valentine. Call or stop into one of South Dakota’s 51 flower shops today to get your order in. Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for the 259 workers in these shops.

❤️ Another classic Valentine move is treating your sweetheart to a nice meal out. Check with your favorite of the state’s 650 full-service restaurants to see if they accept reservations. Or you could always take your chances in getting a table on February 14; hopefully most or all of their 12,795 employees will be on deck to serve you.

❤️ How about dinner and a movie? Check out what’s showing at any of the state’s 22 movie theatres. Their 422 employees could probably even set you up with popcorn and other favorite snacks.

❤️ Maybe a sweet treat is the way to your significant other’s heart. Did you know the state has eight retailers specializing in candy? Let their 84 employees help you pick just the right confection for your sweetheart.

❤️ Or think outside the box (the heart-shaped box of chocolates, that is). For a less traditional and more unique edible Valentine, how about giving your Valentine seasoned pretzels, a meat and cheese collection, a carton of rich ice cream, a favorite type of coffee, or other unique South Dakota-made food to impress your sweetheart? Visit one of South Dakota’s 34 specialty food stores; their 355 employees will likely have great suggestions.

❤️ Speaking of boxes, they say the best things come in small ones, right? Jewelry is another hard-to-beat Valentine's classic. Any of the state’s 46 jewelry stores and their 236 employees stand ready to help you make the perfect selection.

❤️ Maybe a bit of the bubbly will tickle your loved one’s fancy. Pick up a bottle of champagne, wine, or other favorite adult beverage at one of the state’s 39 liquor stores. Maybe one of their 274 staff would even help you compose a toast for your special someone.

❤️ If coffee or ice cream is more the love language of your Valentine, South Dakota has many options for you. Pick up a gift card or invite your person on a date to one of the 250 snack and non-alcoholic beverage bars. You’d be helping support more than 2,800 jobs in the state.

❤️ Maybe a more involved experiencewould better touch the heart of your significant other. How about escaping everyday life with an overnight stay at one of South Dakota’s 395 hotels or motels? They have more than 6,000 staff ready to accommodate you. Looking for somewhere a bit more unique? Consider one of the 10 bed and breakfast inns, with 29 staff employed to ensure a memorable time. Another possibility if you’re game is one of the 13 casino hotels; they have more than 1,300 staff.

❤️ Another idea would be pampering your special someone with a massage or spa experience at one of the state’s 87 personal care service establishments, whose 526 workers are ready to provide a thoughtful and memorable treat.

For More Information

The workforce data incorporated above are just a few examples of the type of industry information available from the Labor Market Information Center. For additional labor market information, contact us.