Mother’s Day is the second largest spending holiday in America, according to the National Retail Federation Survey.
And Forsyth County restaurants and retailers have wasted no time getting ready for this year’s occasion.
Cris Willis, co-owner of Parsons Gifts and Collectibles, said this is the first holiday since the store’s recent makeover, “so we’re really excited for people to come in and see it.”
Parsons, located in Cumming’s Lakeland Plaza, is offering something new this year — engraving.
“There are lots of different things in stock that we can personalize for your mom, like picture frames, pens or plaques,” Willis said. “And we will be having some specials on our engraving machine.”
A few doors down from Parsons, Belk department store has “a lot going on,” said Jennifer Cole, assistant manager.
“We’re having some great sales on fine jewelry to make mothers shine,” she said. “Fragrances and fragrance sets are also huge and a great Mother’s Day gift. It’s something mom doesn’t get all year round, as well as jewelry.”
The National Retail Federation’s survey shows nearly 31 percent of shoppers will head to department stores for Mother’s Day gifts, up from about 27 percent last year.
Cole said she’s seeing an increase in store traffic and expects “a mad rush again next week.”
“We are absolutely ready,” she said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
The survey shows people will spend an average of nearly $127 on Mother’s Day gifts. About $1.9 billion is expected to go toward flowers, but an estimated $2.9 billion will be spent on Mother’s Day brunch or dinner.
“It’s the busiest day in the restaurant industry,” said Bill Norman, owner of Norman’s Landing. “Normally every Mother’s Day, we feed about 1,000 people. We have everybody that works for us here, so we are ready.”
Norman said the restaurant will feature fresh fish, lobster bisque and special desserts, among other menu options.
Tam’s Backstage will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Mother’s Day “to honor them with a fabulous meal and to surround them with their family,” said manager Brian Tam.
The restaurant in downtown Cumming is usually closed Sundays. But on Mother’s Day, it will feature slow-roasted prime rib and fresh fish specials all day.
Upstairs in the Cumming Playhouse, “Driving Miss Daisy” will be performed at 3 and 8 p.m., Tam said, giving families an opportunity to take in lunch or dinner and a show.
“Everybody tries to give mom a day off,” Tam said. “If you’re going to give mom a day off, the best thing to do is take her out to dinner.”
The Ridge restaurant, on Turner Road near Ga. 400’s Exit 15, will also have a prime rib special, as well as “fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs,” said owner Steve Campbell.
The menu will also include fried shrimp and shrimp scampi. All four items will be $12.95, Campbell said.
“Mom works hard all year long,” Campbell said. “It’s time that we do something for her.”
And Forsyth County restaurants and retailers have wasted no time getting ready for this year’s occasion.
Cris Willis, co-owner of Parsons Gifts and Collectibles, said this is the first holiday since the store’s recent makeover, “so we’re really excited for people to come in and see it.”
Parsons, located in Cumming’s Lakeland Plaza, is offering something new this year — engraving.
“There are lots of different things in stock that we can personalize for your mom, like picture frames, pens or plaques,” Willis said. “And we will be having some specials on our engraving machine.”
A few doors down from Parsons, Belk department store has “a lot going on,” said Jennifer Cole, assistant manager.
“We’re having some great sales on fine jewelry to make mothers shine,” she said. “Fragrances and fragrance sets are also huge and a great Mother’s Day gift. It’s something mom doesn’t get all year round, as well as jewelry.”
The National Retail Federation’s survey shows nearly 31 percent of shoppers will head to department stores for Mother’s Day gifts, up from about 27 percent last year.
Cole said she’s seeing an increase in store traffic and expects “a mad rush again next week.”
“We are absolutely ready,” she said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
The survey shows people will spend an average of nearly $127 on Mother’s Day gifts. About $1.9 billion is expected to go toward flowers, but an estimated $2.9 billion will be spent on Mother’s Day brunch or dinner.
“It’s the busiest day in the restaurant industry,” said Bill Norman, owner of Norman’s Landing. “Normally every Mother’s Day, we feed about 1,000 people. We have everybody that works for us here, so we are ready.”
Norman said the restaurant will feature fresh fish, lobster bisque and special desserts, among other menu options.
Tam’s Backstage will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Mother’s Day “to honor them with a fabulous meal and to surround them with their family,” said manager Brian Tam.
The restaurant in downtown Cumming is usually closed Sundays. But on Mother’s Day, it will feature slow-roasted prime rib and fresh fish specials all day.
Upstairs in the Cumming Playhouse, “Driving Miss Daisy” will be performed at 3 and 8 p.m., Tam said, giving families an opportunity to take in lunch or dinner and a show.
“Everybody tries to give mom a day off,” Tam said. “If you’re going to give mom a day off, the best thing to do is take her out to dinner.”
The Ridge restaurant, on Turner Road near Ga. 400’s Exit 15, will also have a prime rib special, as well as “fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs,” said owner Steve Campbell.
The menu will also include fried shrimp and shrimp scampi. All four items will be $12.95, Campbell said.
“Mom works hard all year long,” Campbell said. “It’s time that we do something for her.”