Businesses worried about impact of LA Marathon street closures on Valentine's Day

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Florists along Hollywood Boulevard face potential financial failures on Valentine's Day 2016 because the Los Angeles Marathon has been scheduled for that day.

The race runs right in front of a dozen shops on the stretch of road that is set to be closed off for the event.

Claudia Rovner, owner of Dave's Flowers and Gift Baskets, fears those street closures will take a big bite out of her business.

"We know we are going to have a major loss that day...it's a major concern," she said.

She added that Valentine's Day accounts for 30 percent of the shop's annual sales, with much of the business coming from walk-in customers.

In a statement, Sketchers Performance L.A. Marathon said, "We work to conduct the marathon in as respectful a manner as possible to ensure the smallest impact to area businesses."

Marathon officials said the sidewalks will remain open all along the course, which stretches from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica. They add that Hollywood Boulevard will be reopened no later than noon, but Rovner said Valentine's Day morning is the prime time for customers coming in to pick up orders.

"With Valentine's, people come to us, so it's different this year. So it's a nightmare. It's really very scary," she said.

Rovner said they are trying to come up with an alternative idea in hopes of saving their biggest business day.