Taking heart — and flowers and candy — on Valentine’s Day

by Rebecca Salem

Chester merchants are stepping up to make sure you don’t throw a bucket of ice water on your relationship this Valentine’s Day with a gift of a  vacuum cleaner or a package of undershorts.

A $14 Pinot Noir at Meditrina.

“For serious relationships,” says Lonnie Lisai, “go Cabernet.” The owner of Lisai’s Grocery on Depot Street is conducting an impromptu wine-relationship pairing for Valentine’s Day. “If you have a whimsical relationship, Riesling,” a sweet one, he says with a bit of whimsy himself. But if you are on a first date, he warns, “stay away from Sauvingnon Blanc. The acid will make you drool.” Although, he adds, Zinfandel might work. But play it safe with Merlot.

Those wines, Lisai says, can be had from under $10 to $15 a pop.  Meditrina, the wine, beer and cheese shop at 177  S. Main St., is offering three reasonably priced wines for Valentine’s Day: the Huber Sparkling Rose for $11 and the Louis Max Bourgogne Chardonnay Beaucharme and Pinot Noir Beaucharme for $14 each.

JEWELRY, CARDS AND CHOCOLATE

Jewelry is always a nice gift, and Michele Bargfrede of Sage Jewelry, 295 Main St., has created sterling silver heart necklaces for $25 to $40 each. She adds that she has a nice selection of heart shaped soaps from Popplewood Farms in Andover and hand-painted glassware.

Sterling hearts by Sage Jewelry. Photo by Leah Cunningham.

Cards are always a must, and Pat Budnick of Motel in the Meadow, 936 Rt. 11 W., has you covered in her gift shop, including a large array of scented Kringle candles, silk roses and other items. Misty Valley Books, 58 The Common, also offers cards as well as a number of appropriate titles, including A Little Book of Love, Erotic Poems by ee cummings and Love Poems & Proverbs.

If it’s a cuddle that suits your sweety, then head to the Hugging Bear Shoppe, 244 Main St., for 25% off Georgette Thomas’ selection of Valentine bears.

Hand-carved hearts by Barre Pinske

Wood carver Barre Pinske, whose shop is on the corner of Depot Street and First Avenue, has been carving a limited number of signed and dated pink and red wooden hearts. The vary in size but average 10 inches wide and 12 inches high and are priced from $50 to $125.

To ensure you get the best selection of roses and other flowers, Cheryl Clair and Diane Stocker of Chester Flowers, 145 S. Main St., recommend ordering ahead. They can be reached at 802-875-4008.

For chocolate – and what would Valentine’s Day be without chocolate – Jackie Restmeyer of the Moon Dog Cafe, at 295 Main St., has newly imported Mexican chocolates, while Ye Olde Shoppe at the Inn Victoria, 321 Main St., has a large variety of flavored chocolate truffles and, just in, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates.

ON THE TOWN

T

o dress for a romantic evening, stop by Country on the Common, 80 The Common, where owner Sharon Baker is offering 25% off on fall and winter fashions, including fancy blouses.

A fuschia blouse on sale at Country on the Common.

Inn Victoria is planning a Valentine’s Day Mystery Tea for 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, much like a murder mystery,” says owner Dan Cote. Assistant innkeeper Jessica Knisley says she and owner Penny Cote will be preparing a light meal, “heart-shaped and in red and pink.” The event is $19.99 per person.

On the evening of Saturday, Feb. 11*, MacLaomainn’s Scottish Pub, 52 S. Main St., is hosting a Valentine Dinner Dance to benefit Chester-Andover Elementary School’s fifth and sixth grade trip to Keewaydin Environmental Education Center. Cost for the dinner, dancing and complimentary remembrance photo is $30. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. with a cash bar and dinner starts at 7 p.m. The event takes place in MacLaomainn’s Hall. The DJ of Rhythm Nation will be at the turntable. Reservations can be made through MacLaomainn’s, 875-6227, or through CAES, 875-2108.

If you know of other Chester businesses offering Valentine’s Day events, offer them in the Comments section below.

 * Correction: This corrects the incorrect date originally published.

The List

Barre Pinske Studio (508) 965-3211
Chester Flowers (802) 875-4008
Country on the Common 875-3000
The Hugging Bear Shoppe 875-2412
Inn Victoria 875-4288
Lisai’s Grocery 875-4715
MacLaomainn’s Scottish Pub 875-6227
Misty Valley Books 875-3400
Moon Dog Cafe 875-4966
Motel in the Meadow 875-2626
Sage Jewelry 875-7243