Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
Candy, food, flowers
Montgomery County ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day in style
During nearly two years of the COVID-19 pandemic’s presence in Montgomery County, business owners and area residents have had to adapt for celebrations, including Valentine’s Day.
Now, restaurateurs, florists and candy shop owners report that people are looking forward to celebrating with their loved ones, perhaps even more than before COVID interrupted cupid.
“I see it in the card message where they’re writing a more personal, meaningful sentiment of ‘we’re excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day with you this year.’
Words like that. It’s more than just Happy Valentine’s Day,” said Ambler Flower Shop owner Gene McGonagle.
“Five years ago, 90 percent of the card messages were just ‘Happy Valentine’s Day, Love, Joe,’” he continued. “This year, it’s like a meaningful sentiment about how much I love you, and appreciate you, and (am) looking forward to Valentine’s Day weekend with you.”
McGonagle said he’s seen these sentiments extended to family members in addition to that special someone.
“We’re all about that sentiment,” he said. “It makes me feel good to see people saying something a little bit more than just a boilerplate message.”
Rachel Ammon, King of Prussia District’s director of marketing and communications, agreed.
“I think people are excited about having something to celebrate. I know I am, and I think people are still in the mindset
that they want to support their local brick and mortar stores,” she said. “That was something that we saw early on in the pandemic, and I think it’s something that we still is true that people understand that the businesses need our help, and that Valentine’s Day, and any holiday, is a great opportunity to support your local retailer.”
Celebrations planned
How are people planning to celebrate in Montgomery County?
Ammon anticipated that dinner reservations will “really start to tick up” this week.
“I don’t think we’re quite at pre-pandemic levels yet with people coming back to restaurants, but I think they’re giving people options now, which is really nice,” Ammon said. “I do think the restaurants are going to be busy though, and I would encourage people to make their reservations as soon as possible.”
Area restaurants are getting ready for one of the most romantic holidays of the year as they prepare for people to dine with their loved ones.
In Ambler, Bridgets Steakhouse is expecting a crowd.
“We’re pretty close to sold out already,” said owner Kevin Clib, who noted that a majority of reservations consist of “two tops” and “mostly lovers.”
The downtown restaurant plans to offer its full menu, according to Clib, along with five specials of appetizers and entrees that will be served on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
The Washington House in Sellersville is offering a four-course meal deal and a Valentine’ Day brunch on Feb. 13.
“Currently there are a lot of reservations,” said Alyson Faga, marketing director for The Washington House.
While she noted that mostly couples have booked the prix fixe dinner, the weekend brunch offers a children’s menu and is popular with families.
Try weeknight dinner
Ammon suggested getting people creative in finding ways to enjoy a meal with their special someone.
“I would encourage people to celebrate early,” Ammon said. “Celebrate this week even if they want to get out to a restaurant and are afraid they aren’t going to get a reservation. Maybe you go out during the week for a dinner and it might also be a little less crowded.”
“You might be able to get a better reservation at a time that might work best for you,” she continued. “I would encourage people to think outside the weekend, and Monday, that some restaurants are offering specials throughout Valentine’s week.”
While some may be feeling the love, a famous competition is also taking place over Valentine’s Day weekend. The Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals will face off in Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13. Clib said his restaurant will be open on Sunday.
“With the Super Bowl happening in conjunction with it I think … it should be a fun weekend,” he said.
However, local restaurants don’t necessarily need to call an audible.
“I also think there are restaurants to celebrate the day, and there are restaurants to watch the big game,” Ammon said. “They … could be for people one in the same, but you’re not going to go to the Melting Pot to watch the Super Bowl.”
People can take advantage of events happening throughout Valentine’s Day weekend throughout King of Prussia and Montgomery County. For more information and events, visit the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board’s website at www.valleyforge.org.
Send flowers
Along with a nice meal and something fun to do, flowers are often synonymous with Valentine’s Day.
“It is a very big holiday for us, and we’re gearing up for delivering lots of beautiful red roses,” said McGonagle at Ambler Flower Shop.
Customers began submitting Valentine’s Day orders after Christmas, according to McGonagle.
“I never met a woman that didn’t like to receive flowers,” said Charles Booz, owner of Chantilly Floral Boutique, located in Harleysville and Lansdale, noting that “roses are the biggest sellers.”
“Red is number one,” Booz said. “We have a relatively new rose, and it’s called ‘country blue,’ and it’s almost like a garden rose and it’s sort of hot pink, lavender. It’s very interesting.”
Anticipating a busy holiday, Booz and McGonagle suggested customers to have their flowers delivered throughout the weekend.
“We are encouraging them to order to take delivery Saturday and Sunday, celebrate all weekend, and we were saying no delivery fee if you have your roses delivered Saturday or Sunday,” Booz said.
Sweeten the day
In addition to food and flowers, candy is another quintessential Valentine’s Day item.
Annie Maloney, owner of Sweet Annie’s Candy Shoppe, in Ambler, is preparing for the holiday, offering traditional confections along with some specialty items.
“Last year, the whole week of Valentine’s Day was a complete mad dash,” Maloney said. “People coming in left and right buying so much for their loved ones, or their partners, or their kids, and I think it’ll be the same thing (this year).”
While Maloney’s hours of operation run from Wednesday to Sunday, she said she will be open on Valentine’s Day, and she expects the holiday weekend will be busy.
“I’m guessing that Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday are just gonna be insane,” Maloney said.
She noted that pink champagne is the shop’s Valentine’s Day inspired macaron flavor.
“I think the macarons are going to be a huge hit and the truffles as well,” Maloney said.
Working together
In addition, Maloney is partnering with a number of other establishments to sell cookies, cake pops, cocoa bombs, and “balloon poppers.” Sweet Annie’s Candy Shoppe will feature items from Ambler Flower Shop, Blessing Sweet Treats LLC., Cakes By Marita, and Charming Garlands, according to Maloney, adding that baked goods are expected to arrive roughly three to four days before Valentine’s Day.
“It gives me the opportunity to offer treats that I don’t normally offer such as the baked goods, cookies, and things like that, but at the same time it’s also promoting their small business, and people can go direct to them throughout the rest of the year, for holidays, and hopefully they can increas(ing) their visibility within the community,” she said.
Just down the street, McGonagle shared plans to continue a collaboration with several downtown businesses for meals and gift items including From The Boot, Gypsy Blu, Xtra 101, and Main Street Vintage.
“We’re excited to be partnering with these other businesses,” McGonagle said. “We hope for good weather and it’ll be a perfect day for us and for all the businesses around here.” Maloney agreed.
“I think it’s going to be great. I think it’s going to be very busy for local restaurants,” she said. “I was told by one of the chocolatiers I work with that if the weather is good for Valentine’s Day weekend it’s a hit for businesses, candy shops, flower shops. So I’m just honestly praying … for no snow; that’s where my mind is.”
Preliminary forecasts in Lansdale report high temperatures ranging from 30 to 58 degrees with a mixture of cloud, partly cloudy, and sunny conditions, according to weather.com.