Neighborhood Expert: Ways to Shop Local on Valentine’s Day

Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].

Now that the fried food and carb overload of the Super Bowl are behind us, we can turn our attention to the sweets and chocolates of Valentine’s Day.

There are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day whether you’re shopping for a significant other, child, galentine or someone else you love. Many of our local stores have things to enjoy this weekend. Remember most will require advanced notice if you want something custom!

How about ordering flowers from Karin’s Florist or some food from Bobby’s Bagel Café in Oakton. They have heart-shaped everything — bagels, cookies, chocolate-covered Oreos and strawberries! Check their website for details.

You can also find more sweets at Cocoa Vienna or Cameron’s Coffee & Chocolates, a local nonprofit that employs young adults with special needs. They have a large shop to order from, but you can also find some of their products at Vienna Vintner. Because chocolate and wine. Why not? Maybe you even add a trip to Mesmeralda’s Gifts in McLean, The Artisans or Craving for Chocolate.

My husband and I usually give a stuffed animal or book to our kids on Valentine’s Day, which means a trip to Bards Alley this week.

Vienna and McLean are filled with local little shops to support. Remember most have curbside pick-up, so shop small, support local.

Hoping you have a great Valentine’s Day!