All Roads Lead to Somerville for Valentine's Day Romance

Follow Cupid’s arrow to downtown Somerville to make a big impression on your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day. You’ll find passionate and knowledgeable store owners with great gift ideas plus unique and inviting places for dining à deux. Whether you are looking for sweet, sophisticated, sexy (or all three!), find all that and more in central Jersey’s most romantic downtown.

“You’ll find dozens of ways to make Valentine’s Day memorable in downtown Somerville,” noted Tom Genova, who chairs the Downtown Somerville Alliance (DSA). “Best of all, everything you need to demonstrate your romantic side is conveniently close by, with stores and restaurants (and parking) just a short stroll away.”

Sweet Ideas

Carol’s Creative Chocolatez (24 Division Street), a chocolate maker specializing in single-origin Belgian and French chocolates and Katili’s Chocolates (12 E. Main Street), offering a wide assortment of high quality, hand-crafted chocolates and fudge, are the epitome of special occasion artisanal sweets. From the Hive (4 Division Street), is featuring Valentine’s Day hearts from the Farm N Charm country style home décor line that’s made from repurposed farm implements, old rusty treasures & antiques, in addition to their incredible assortment of sweet honey products sourced locally and from around the world. Don’t forget your pets on Valentine’s Day; there’s a wide assortment of freshly made and creatively decorated treats at the Hungry Hound (94 W. Main Street).

Stylish Sophistication

Show your fashion savvy with a Valentine’s Day gift from one of Somerville’s many boutiques featuring sophisticated and stylish clothing, footwear, accessories and jewelry. From Evolve Clothing Gallery (84 W. Main Street) and Tessuto’s Fine Italian Clothing (33 W. Main Street) for men to K Bella Boutique (75 W. Main Street), Melange (85 W. Main Street) and Beyond Trends (58 W. Main Street) for women, downtown Somerville is earning a reputation as Central New Jersey’s hottest shopping mecca. For budget-conscious Romeos, Incogneeto Vintage (30 Division Street) and Revive (30 S. Doughty Avenue) combine affordability and fashion. Looking to spice things up? Beneath It All (15 Division Street), is a contemporary boutique with an extensive selection of lingerie from France and top New York designers.

Tradition with a Twist

Gems & Stems (194 W. Main Street), Carousel of Flowers (15 West Main Street) and A Votre Service Events (5 West Main Street) make choosing that special floral arrangement a great experience every time. With talented staff and an eye for fresh, unique designs that are sure to bring a smile, you know you are getting the best service and quality when you order local.

Members Only

Salon and Spa memberships make looking and feeling good a regular treat. Take advantage of this hot trend by visiting Paramount Pampering Spa and Salon (56 W. Main Street), the newest of several luxurious full-service spas offering upscale salon experiences or recently renovated Illustrated Beauty (120 W. Main Street). Both offer exclusive membership packages that include hair coloring, touch ups, haircuts, massages, facials and blowouts for one low monthly price.

Dining

Downtown Somerville’s diverse restaurants draw diners from throughout the region seeking great food and a romantic atmosphere for special occasions like Valentine’s Day. Both Tapastre (1 West High Street) and Shumi (30 S. Doughty Avenue) have recently been highlighted in a new regular feature on NJ.com called “Where to eat now in N.J.” that highlights the most exciting restaurants of the moment — including places both new to the scene and long-time favorites.

“Somerville’s combination of world class shopping and dining, dynamic street life, great events, plus accessibility and convenience help make our downtown a regional destination for Valentine’s Day and all year round,” concluded Beth Anne Macdonald, the DSA’s Executive Director.

For directories of downtown Somerville businesses and restaurants, and information on programs and services provided by the Downtown Somerville Alliance, visit downtownsomerville.com, or follow news from Somerville on social media at Facebook.com/DowntownSomervilleAlliance and Instagram.com/DowntownSomerville.