by Mike Dunphy
The Valentine Bandit isn’t the only one with romance in the heart this Valentine’s Day. Area businesses are also tapping heart strings with specials and events on and around the holiday. Say “I love you” with a local flavor at these shops in and around Montpelier.
North Branch Cafe
Casanova famously ate 50 oysters a day for breakfast to keep up his legendary libido. On February 15, North Branch Cafe will be serving up a catch of fresh raw Maine oysters from 4 to 7:30 pm, along with some of the best oyster-friendly wines from around the world. Reservations are required.
Global Gifts
Make an exotic gift to your loved one, with a piece of jewelry from Global Gifts, on sale for 20 percent off from February 8 to 14.
Alpenglow Fitness
Buy a $100 gift card and get a complimentary pair of Barre socks ($15 value) through Valentine’s Day.
Charlie O’s
Rock out on Valentine’s Day to the “queer-phonic, multi-sonic, jazz-shamanic experience” of Jaguar Stereo and the pop rock harmonies of Yestrogen. The theme is self love, so the night is titled “I Love Myself.”
Bohemian Bakery
Sweeten the holiday further with special Valentine’s cakes and cookie boxes—large and fabulous meringue rounds filled with fresh berries, whipped eclairs filled with raspberry cream and topped with chocolate icing, and more.
Manghis
The esteemed bakery makes a variety of special sweet treats for your sweetie. This year’s crop include chocolate cherry cheese buns, lemon blueberry twist, maple pecan buns, and heart-shaped challah. Place orders by Tuesday, Feb. 12, for Valentine’s Day pick up.
The Quirky Pet
Give Fido some extra love on Valentine’s Day with specialty treats from the bakery case. The frosted heart-shaped cookies are made with a peanut butter and molasses base in Wareham, Massachusetts.
Nutty Steph’s
Make a gift of chocolate even more saucy with a set of chocolate vulvas, naturally made with the best chocolates from around the world, grown in protected forests. Enjoy three flavors—divine dark, peppermint, and caramelized—as well as the fact that a portion of proceeds go to supporting Planned Parenthood. Every box also contains collectors cards designed especially for this campaign by Dutch illustrator, Hilde Atalanta of The Vulva Gallery.
Capital City Concerts
Sunday, February 17 at 3 pm, at the Unitarian Church, Capital City Concerts is celebrating love and romance with a “Valentine’s Weekend.” On the bill are sensual works by Astor Piazzolla, Johannes Brahmns, Camille Saint-Saens, and more
