MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The flower industry says flower sales that dipped during the recession have been rebounding this Valentine’s Day.

Experts said they expect Americans to spend about $1.8 billion on flowers for Valentine’s Day. Many people waited until the last minute to do their shopping, including Ryan Richardson, who works in downtown Minneapolis.

“I need flowers, chocolates and a card. I’m on my lunch break and hopefully we can do it all in one spot here at Target,” said Richardson. “It is a little late, I have just been really busy with work and this is actually the only time I had to get into it.”

The skyways were filled with crowds carrying bouquets of just bought flowers. Richardson joined a mob of last minute shoppers in the card aisle at the Nicollet Mall Target, hoping to get the right card for his girlfriend Andrea.

“I feel like there is some pressure, but if you are with the right person, it’s just about doing something special for each other,” said Richardson, who made dinner plans at a restaurant that doesn’t require reservations.

Bachman’s Floral catered to people like Richardson by opening its flower drive-thru for its second year in a row. All six Bachman’s locations in the metro area opened a drive-thru lane for flowers, chocolates and teddy bears. Customers order through a menu, pay by credit card and never have to leave their car.

Bachman’s officials said they expect to sell more than 150,000 roses, 100,000 tulips and 6,000 gerberas on Valentine’s Day.