Sweet Success for Maplewood Village Chocolate Walk

It was late in the event, but No.165 was so busy one could hardly belly up to the chocolate fondue pot. The table at the center of this eclectic apparel and home furnishings shop was attracting attention from children and adults alike with its marshmallows, strawberries, jelly beans and custom-made cookies from The Able Baker.

But the better news was that the check-out counter was equally as busy as shoppers scooped up clever and inexpensive last-minute Valentine's Day gifts such as Girlfriend and Boyfriend chocolates, boxes of pecan chocolate bark, chocolate-covered pretzels and "I LOVE U"-shaped chocolates.

Down at Maplewood Pet Store business was also brisk despite the lack of lovebirds for sale. Still, all the adorable bunnies, hamsters and guinea pigs were getting a lot of love from young visitors. 

The 1 p.m. wine tasting at Village Wine Shop was a big sucess, said Rosetta Weiser. The Shop brought in Enrico Battisti of Soilair Selection in New York. Battisti is from Italy and explained a trio of Italian wines that were by turns dry, fruity and robust. Perhaps the fruity white would have gone nicely with the chocolate chevre that Steve Crane was serving down at Crane's Deli.

If you missed the Chocolate Walk today, there will be more than 30 Village shops open on Sunday, February 14. Many will be running Valentine's Day specials: for example, Anthony Garubo will be offering a $99 facial, manicure and pedicure special to get you lovely for your lover and your Valentine's dinner at any number of Maplewood Village's restaurants.