Well, There’s The Usual Things: Flowers… Chocolates… Promises You Don’t Intend To Keep…
–Cogsworth, The Beauty and The Beast
There are so many ways to say I love you including:
I cherish you
I value you
I admire you
I am grateful for you
I appreciate you
Or the simple, direct, and not often enough said: Thank You.
These words should and do come easily to those who seek to cultivate their relationships. For those who want to go the extra mile in and around Valentine’s Day and show their gratitude more tangibly, our local florists, retailers, and markets make Valentine’s Day enjoyable for shopper and sweetheart alike…which is as it should be.
Flowers and Florists
Spotlight Florists
In Bloom Flowers and Gifts: Downtown Maumee. Kendra and Company at In Bloom are a perfect blend of originality and beauty. They are also incredibly convenient. If you have very specific needs, they will meet them. If you are the kind of person who says, “well, I think she likes pink…”, then they will work with that as well. Don’t forget to check out their other gifts, including house plants, jewelry, and soaps, lotions, and other fine and thoughtful gifts.
Beautiful Blooms by Jen: Downtown Sylvania. A fixture in Sylvania and another excellent, personal florist. Jen and her staff will ensure that your arrangement is as personal as you need it to be and just as important, as beautiful as your sweetheart deserves.
Bartz Viviano: Locations include Secor Road, Navarre Avenue, Waterville, and the Flower Market on Monroe (near Toledo Hospital). Another Toledo Staple, Bartz is a great local florist that, given their 4 locations, has the ability to deliver within a 30-mile radius of Toledo.
Additional Area Florists
Angel 101 (Perrysburg)
Ken’s Flower Shop (Toledo, Perrysburg)
Klotz Floral Design and Garden (Bowling Green)
Nest Floral Design Studio (Temperance)
Chocolates and Candies
Spotlight Candy Stores
Christie’s Candies and Mints: An area icon and certainly a great candy store. This is a multi-generational business with plenty of options to appease even the strongest sweet tooth
Maumee Valley Chocolate and Candy: Located in the heart of Downtown Maumee, MVCC has a wide variety of options, handcrafts most of their chocolates, and has a decent selection of retro candy as well. Check out their truffles and covered pretzels
Boyd’s Retro Candy Store: This may be one of our favorite spots in the area. It is just a cool candy store. Sure, we are not talking fine truffles here. We’re talking jawbreakers, pop rocks, Pez, Gummi anything (worms, hearts, fish, bears), taffy, and yes, even chalky candy hearts. Buying candy from Boyd’s shows not only that you care, but that you have a soft nostalgia streak as well. Add a superhero valentine and make the retro package complete.
Additional Area Candy Stores
Ben’s Crafts (Bowling Green)
Dietsch Brothers (Findlay)
Grace Chocolates: Sold at various locations throughout
the area. Bean to Bar Chocolate
Cookies and Treats
Although not a durable as candy, going the extra mile to get an amazing baked goods will make for an excellent evening of sweet treats and sweethearts.
So Sweet Bakery (Toledo)
Jera’s Heavenly Sweet (Toledo)
Cake in a Cup (Toledo)
Cookie Jar (Bowling Green)
7 Little Cupcakes (Perrysburg)
Jewelry
Nothing says “I love you” like fine jewelry and it is certainly one of the staples of Valentine’s day. Don’t be taken in by department stores. If you are going to spend the cash, spend it with someone local who will guide you through the process and stand by their work.
Alan Miller Jewelers
David Fairclough Jewelers
Sterling Jewelers
Jeffery Mann Jewelers
Foster’s Jewelers
Gifts, Health and Beauty
You can think “out of the box”…or out of the box of chocolates for that special someone. Consider a different gift but one that is not less thoughtful.
Spotlight Gift Business
Essential Connection: Essential oils are not only trendy, but they are also useful. Let Karla help you pick out a great gift. And don’t forget guys for oils as well. Deep Blue for those who exercise or have physical jobs plus small diffusers to hang in lockers, cars or gym bags.
Additional Gift Stores
Bonita Beads
Calico, Sage and Thyme
Spoiled Health
Handmade Toledo
Copper Moon
Georgette’s Grounds and Gifts
Riverfront Candle
For Guys (and Girls Too)
Sure, flowers and chocolates will do. But how about a game, DVD, tickets, music or a great book? Check out these local shops to surprise your Valentine with something different than a temporary sugar fix.
The Swamp Shop
Toledo Walleye Tickets
Culture Clash Records
Finders Records (Bowling Green)
Third Street Cigar
The Cigar Affair
Allied Record Exchange
Gathering Volumes
Date Night Suggestions
Sure, going out or at least recognizing your love on Valentine’s Day is a must. However, why not take the pressure off? Get something small then make a promise…a real promise…to do something special for a date night. A different kind of movie experience, checking out one of our local icons like The Zoo or TMA, even trying out (or re-discovering) dancing. Going local and thoughtful is way better than a box of mega-mart chocolates. In fact, almost anything is…
