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PELHAM, N.Y. -- The same-sex marriage law in New York State went into effect Sunday. The legality of same-sex marriages could provide a boost to local businesses like florists and caterers.
Businesses like those that generate revenue from weddings now have another section of the consumer base they can serve. More weddings could equal more dollars for those businesses.
Danny Spillos owns Westchester Floral Decorators on Wolfs Lane in Pelham. He said that he has not received any orders for same-sex marriages yet, but he is confident that the inquiries will come within three to five months.
"The gay community is artistic and detailed and they like my stuff," Spillos said. "If they get married, it means more weddings."
Spillos said he has created floral arrangements for same-sex couples before but not at a legal marriage ceremony.
David Juhren is the executive director at the LOFT, a White Plains-based community services center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals in the lower Hudson Valley. Juhren said that several same-sex couples are waiting to get married and the financial result for New York could be immense.
"First of all they will bring in, it's estimated, about a little under $400 million dollars [for the State of New York]," Juhren said.
The director said that such a potentially large effect on local businesses has been one of the driving incentives for passing the law.
"That's been one of our arguments for years too is the amount of revenue that would be generated by marriage equality," Juhren said.
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