Valentine’s Day is Almost Here
This year, February’s romantic holiday will look different, but there are many ways to keep the love alive despite the pandemic. It’s time to get creative!
We are eager to help you craft a romantic date night for the one you love, or to treat yourself! A celebration curated with unique accents from downtown Victoria’s local businesses will take your special occasion to the next level. There are a million ways you could create magical memories this year, but if you are looking for inspiration, start with downtown Victoria!
Curating the perfect evening with a French flare
Dim the lights, light candles, string fairy lights, and you can almost believe you are spending the evening in Paris! We will be allowed to travel again, but until then, why not keep our spirit of adventure alive at home? No matter what, if you have love – including self-love – your date night will be wonderful.
Here are some suggestions for where to shop to make your evening special:
Beautiful Music
The love is in the details. Make your night extra special with some French music! Find the soundtrack to suit your evening at Ditch Records on Fort Street.
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Picture-Perfect Attire
Look the part. Complete your outfit with a sweet beret from Roberta’s Hats on Government Street.
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Ooh La La, the Food
Indoor picnics are très romantic. Find all you need for a delicious charcuterie board at the Italian Food Imports on Blanshard Street.
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A Delectable Wine Pairing
Sip on something satisfying. What is more French than wine? Pick up an authentic French red to pair with your European fare at the Strath Liquor Store on Douglas Street.
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Dress Up the Table
Elegant wares to elevate your experience. Add some sophistication with classy wine glasses from the Tuscan Kitchen in the Bay Center.
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Don’t Forget the Flowers
Flowers: the romantic essential. Fragrance and atmosphere are crucial considerations for a romantic evening, and fresh flowers check both boxes. Add a beautiful bouquet from Flowers on Top on Broad Street for ambiance.
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Then some Dessert, of course
Treat your tastebuds. A sweet selection of patisseries from La Roux in Chinatown will tie up your French picnic perfectly.
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Shopping Local is Easy
However you choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, support local businesses where possible. Without the usual tourists and office workers downtown, businesses need our help to stay open and keep their staff employed. Every dollar spent locally supports our local community and economy. Please make purposeful purchasing choices so our beautiful downtown core can stay afloat until the pandemic ends. Keep in mind, if we all support Amazon now, Amazon will be the only company left.
To encourage you to support local from home, we created Downtown Delivers, a free local delivery program. Available until February 15th, enjoy free delivery from participating downtown businesses to customers living in the greater Victoria area.
Thank you, Victoria, for spending locally! Your support means the world to downtown’s small businesses. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
