Several Madison Shops Ready for Valentine's Day

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, several shops throughout Madison are looking forward to a fun and eventful period where they can help borough residents and those in surrounding areas find that “perfect gift” for a loved one.

For instance, two local shops are working together to make your Valentine’s Day a special one. Schnipper’s Cards and Gifts is working in conjunction with the Madison Wine Cellar to offer one dozen long-stem roses and a bottle of champagne or wine in a package deal to interested customers on February 14.

Both businesses are located at 29 Main Street, with the Wine Cellar sitting in front and Schnipper’s in the rear. Roses will be able to be picked up from either location, while the bottles of champagne or wine will be available for pick-up on Valentine’s Day at Madison Wine Cellar only.

While you’re in the vicinity, though, Schnipper’s is offering plenty of Valentine’s Day gifts for loved ones of either gender. In addition to paying just $29.99 for a dozen red or colored roses, shoppers can throw in a box of Nassau candy in either a heart-shaped or novelty box to put a different twist on Valentine’s Day.

“We always try to go with the quirky stuff, because people want something interesting,” said Schnipper’s co-owner Monica DeTorre.

For the Giants fan of your affection, Schnipper’s is also carrying plenty of New York Giants merchandise in anticipation of Valentine’s Day and Super Bowl Sunday. Additionally, DeTorre estimates that approximately $1,000 worth of Giants merchandise is still on its way to the store.

“As a guy gift for Valentine’s Day, besides just the Super Bowl, that’ll be a huge seller,” said DeTorre. “That will be a huge draw for Valentine’s Day for the male gifts.”

Just down the street at 1 Waverly Place is Rose City Jewelers and Gemologists, which is offering a “Wish List” promotion through Valentine’s Day to make it easier for men to shop for their wives. This promotion allows for the women to fill out a "Wish List" of desired gifts, leaving it up to the men to pick out an item or two for the big day.

“The point of this is, more than a gift suggestion, that we’re giving a gift to the husbands because there are no questions. We’re making it easy; we’re removing all doubt,” said Cynthia Viesser-Falco of Rose City Jewelers. “We’re taking care of it for them; that’s the real gift.”

Additionally, the store is offering 18-karat panned enamel Aaron Basha lockets as gifts to mothers from their spouses or other loved ones, ranging in price from $2,000 to $4,500. For diamond lovers, Rose City Jewelers also has Valentine’s shoppers covered with a wide assortment of 18-karat Charriol diamonds starting at $300 in addition to allowing customers to create customized items of their own for the big day.

“If anybody wanted to make a special piece for Valentine’s Day, we could do that,” said Christina Manahi of Rose City Jewelers.

The excitement doesn’t stop there, though. For those who believe that the true way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, Crowley Cupcakes is just three doors down at 7 Waverly Place. Don’t let the name fool you, though; in addition to the bakery’s normal assortment of cupcakes, the store is offering specialty items for Valentine’s Day including raspberry linzer tarts and Valentine’s Day-themed butter cookies.

“It’s one of our great holidays,” said Bridget Crowley, owner of Crowley’s Cupcakes. “I have 20 flavors, and I’m just trying to think of all the pink ones.”

Even stores brand-new to Madison are getting in on the act, including Crowley’s next-door neighbor as of Tuesday. That’s when Cambridge Street Papers will be moving into the old location of the Chocolate Rose Shoppe on Waverly Place from its previous location in Chatham.

The stationery store, owned by Joanne Love, will provide plenty of interesting gifts in the coming weeks as it opens its doors, starting with cards and valentines and eventually bringing in Valentine’s gifts, such as themed candles.

“We’ll have plenty of fun, new, irreverent Valentine’s Day cards, as well as invitations and valentines,” said Love.