Looking for Valentine’s Day date or gift ideas in the Valley? Here’s a lovely guide
Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day nears this coming Monday, Feb. 14.
If you’re thinking of a flower order for that special someone, you’ll have to think fast.
Following the closure of the Mahoning Valley’s last floral distributor, local florists recommended buyers get their orders in early, and told us same-day orders will be very difficult to fulfill. Don’t procrastinate this year!
Whether you’re celebrating with your partner, friends or happily single, if you’re on the hunt for gifts from local businesses or local eateries with special menus or other date night activities, look no further than our guide:
Some ideas for date night or family fun
Bestie Bash, hosted by Southern Park Mall and The Art Café
- What: A family-oriented event where you can paint ceramic heart dishes with your “bestie.” There will be face-painting and goodie bags for children. “Beauty and the Beast” characters will appear for a meet-and-greet.
- When: Two time slots at noon and 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12.
- Where: Southern Park Mall, 7401 Market St.; enter through JCPenney.
- Tickets are $10. Proceeds will benefit The American Heart Association.
Coffee and Canvas at The Mocha House
- What: A Valentine’s Day-themed art session led by an artist. Attendees can take home their finished pieces.
- When: Saturday, Feb. 12.
- Where: The Mocha House, 120 E. Boardman St., Youngstown.
- RSVPs are required. Call 330-951-0070 to book and for additional information. Tickets include canvas, art supplies, coffee and a sweet treat.
”Couples Therapy,” presented by The Youngstown Playhouse
- What: A one-night-only show combining live theater and comedy.
- When: Saturday, Feb. 12; cocktail hour begins at 6:30 p.m.; show starts at 7:30.
- Where: The Youngstown Playhouse, 600 Playhouse Lane, Youngstown.
- Tickets are $30. Buy them online or contact the box office at 330-788-8739.
Eastwood Ice Fest at Eastwood Event Centre
- What: The inaugural Eastwood Ice Fest, featuring ice sculpture carving, hot cocoa bar, family activities and a chili cook off.
- When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13.
- Where: Eastwood Event Centre, 5577 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles.
- Admission is free.
“MadeWithLove” Market, hosted by Youngstown Flea
- What: Shop handmade crafts and goodies from local vendors like Bandit Bands, Staircase Ceramics and Succulent Ladies.
- When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12.
- Where: Youngstown Flea, 365 E. Boardman St.
”Make a Charcuterie Board with Your Cutie,” hosted by Abigail’s Bakery Creations
- What: Get a tutorial on making your own charcuterie board — which is usually made of meats, cheeses, fruits and other things sweet or savory.
- When: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13.
- Where: Abigail’s Bakery Creations, 4930 Mahoning Ave., Austintown.
- Tickets are $50 per couple and include wine and romantic music. Preregistration is required; no walk-ins allowed. To register, call 724-931-0049 or message Abigail’s Bakery Creations on Facebook.
Valentine’s Day at Red Maple Barn
- What: A romantic Valentine’s Day event including dinner, a gourmet hot cocoa bar, a horse-drawn countryside ride and a s’mores dessert station.
- When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12.
- Where: Red Maple Barn, 612 Center St. W., Youngstown.
- Tickets are $75 per person.
Some ideas for dining out
L’uva Bella Winery, 6597 Center Road, Lowellville, is hosting a Valentine’s Day dinner Monday, Feb. 14, from 4 to 9 p.m. with a specialty menu, including caprese stuffed portabella, pistachio-crusted salmon, smoked prime rib and red velvet cheesecake.
The Chophouse Restaurant & Bar
“The secret ingredient is always love” at The Chophouse Restaurant & Bar, 9519 E. Market St., Warren. From Friday, Feb. 11, through Monday, Feb. 14, the eatery is offering a special Valentine’s Day menu paired with free dessert, featuring spicy tuna roll, “chicken alla bleu”, lamb shank and lobster pasta.
On the menu Saturday, Feb. 12, at the country club at 600 Golf Drive NE, Warren: Charcuterie for two, surf and turf, twin lobster tails and chocolate strawberry pecan ball.
On Monday, Feb. 14, the vineyard and winery at 212 N. Main St., Hubbard, is offering a four-course Valentine’s dinner for $40 per person. Reservations are required, and space is limited. Includes a small cheese plate, salad, bread, an entree, dessert and a champagne toast. Email woodlandcellars@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
Some ideas for gifts and sweets
Set up for a picture-perfect Valentine’s Day with the help of Alpha-Lit Youngstown, which offers custom rental marquee letters and numbers.
Give Catullo Prime Meats, 7127 Tiffany Blvd, Youngstown, a call at 330-758-3454 to pre-order a 20-ounce heart-shaped prime ribeye steak or a jerky bouquet for $35 each. The bouquet includes one package of beef sticks and three packages of assorted beef jerky flavors.
McKim’s Honeyvine & Winery Valentine’s Day special
Today’s the last day to pre-order Valentine’s Day gift bags for $27 from McKim’s Honeyvine & Winery. The gift bags include a bottle of semi-sweet or semi-dry wine, a box of Rosalind chocolates, a baby honey bear, a single rose bouquet and other items, which will be available for pickup at 462 E Main St E., East Palestine, or delivered Monday, Feb. 14, in Mahoning and Columbiana counties.
My Beverly Jewelry of Youngstown specializes in vintage inspired jewelry with pressed flowers. Visit its website or at The Youngstown Flea on Saturday, Feb. 12, to get a handmade piece of jewelry with flowers that’ll last a lifetime.
SPRUCE Home Decor & Gift Store Valentine’s sale
SPRUCE Home Decor & Gift Store, 1315 Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman, is offering a 20% sale on Valentine’s decor, running until Sunday, Feb. 13. Items include themed tea towels, candles and pillows.
Sweet Memories Vintage Tees of Youngstown, by New Dawn Designs, produces vintage style T-Shirts of popular candy brands like Tootsie, Sweet Tart, Good Humor and Necco. One-fifth of its proceeds are donated to the neonatal intensive care unit at Akron Children’s Hospital.
Locally owned floral and fashion shop Thirty-Four & Vine is offering custom bouquets for Valentine’s Day. There are two sizes: “Friends With Benefits,” a petite wrapped bouquet for $55, and “The Big L-Word,” a statement-size wrapped bouquet for $75. The shop is also selling “Youngstown is for Lovers” crew-neck sweatshirts.
This Warren native-owned sweet shop specializes in artisanal French macarons in unique flavors like birthday cake, red velvet cake batter and strawberry champagne, oftentimes decorated in abnormal shapes like unicorns and hearts. To place an order, check it out on Facebook or visit Audrey’s table at The Youngstown Flea on Saturday, Feb. 12.
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If you want your business’ Valentine’s Day events or specials featured on Mahoning Matters, email us at news@mahoningmatters.com.