Several local merchants have found ways to entice customers to their shops for Valentine’s Day gifts or dining.
Flowers
Preston’s Florists, 1726 Central St., will offer free local delivery of orders of a dozen roses, for delivery on Feb. 11, 12 and 13. 847-864-1816.
Dining
Celtic Knot, 626 Church St. Chef Debbie Evans is preparing special appetizers, entrees and desserts. Each Valentine’s Day customer will recive a red rose, a free glass of bubbly and a scone to take home for the next day’s breakfast. 847-864-1679.
Chef’s Station, 915 Davis St. Owner Peter Mills will have three seatings for the special Valentine’s Day “love feast” on Feb. 14: a six-course tasting menu “with much love.” In recognition of these economically stressful times, he says, “We have lowered our prices by about 10 percent.” 847-570-9821.
Campagnola, 815 Chicago Ave. will offer a special reservations-only three-course menu for Valentine’s Day. 847-475-6100.
Lupita’s Restaurant, 700 Main St., once again features its “Like Water for Chocolate” menu (based on the award-winning movie with the same title) Feb. 13-19. 847-328-2255.
Jilly’s Café, 2614 Green Bay Road, will feature a special reservations-only dinner. 847-869-7636.
Oceanique, 505 Main St., will have a “Chef’s Surprise” as the first course of its special menu for Feb. 14. Reservations are required. 847-864-3435.
Cakes, cookies and other treats
Rose’s Wheatfree Bakery, 2901 Central St., is featuring several heart-shaped treats this Valentine’s Day, including cookies, éclairs, cakes, brownies and even lollipops. 847-859-2723.
Belgian Chocolatier Piron, 509 Main St., is cooking up an assortment of 11 premier chocolates – white, dark or milk – in an edible heart-shaped box of white or dark chocolate. Customers can buy a box of chocolates and eat the box, too.
847-864-5504.
Tag’s, 2010 Central St., offers Florentine cookies “that will be sure to warm the heart of someone special.” 847-328-1200.
Bennison’s, 1000 Davis St., will have heart-shaped cakes and cookies; baked goods decorated in Valentine colors; chocolate-dipped strawberries, and more. 847-328-9434.
Specialty shops
Stella, 2116 Central St. Keepsake silver-coated hearts with messages; little glass heart-like ornaments. 847-864-5565
Ten Thousand Villages, 719 Main St. The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – offers samples of fair-trade chocolate-dipped fruit and fair-trade tea, prize for the craziest hat, Valentine limerick contest, sale on some jewelry, children’s table for making Valentines and crazy hats. 847-733-8258.
Paper Source, 2100 Central St. Mommy-and-me Valentine workshops, Feb. 7 and 8. Kits to make Valentines, fortune cookies and children’s paper toys. 847- 733-8830.
Asinimali, 1722 Sherman Ave. and Coocoo, 1716 Sherman Ave. Owner Kellie Poulos is highlighting romance in many forms from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Love potions by Heidi – mixes and blends of essential oils; two psychics doing love readings ($1/minute); 20 percent off all Valentine heart jewelry and free hand massage with certain purchases. 847- 866-6219 and 847-869-8203.
Bedazzled, 2002 Central. St., is having a Valentine’s Day sale on merchandise that reflects “that special day.” 847-864-9494.
Through Feb. 14, customers at Ayla’s, 1511 Sherman Ave., can pick out a strand and Ayla’s will finish it for free. 847-328-4040.
Jill Brazel Photography, 725 Washington St., Suite #109. Ms. Brazel is having mini-sittings at the studio 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Feb. 14. 312-403-1222.