Cupid may reign over COVID
Can Cupid find a way to triumph over the coronavirus?
Valentine's Day is going to look a bit different this year with the COVID-19 pandemic still a concern.
Tim Moses, co-owner of Moses Jewelers at 524 Northpointe Circle, Seven Fields, remains optimistic.
“To be honest,” he said, “we had a great Christmas. Is that going to roll over into Valentines Day? We hope.
“People are not traveling, they are not going to restaurants,” Moses said. “Our hope is they will celebrate the day with a piece of jewelry.”
People are going to want to celebrate the day, he noted, and with other options limited, they have the choice of flowers or jewelry.
“As I think about it,” Moses said, “I am anticipating a nice Valentine's Day.”
Moses Jewelers offers in-store shopping with social distancing and masks required. Alternatively, customers can shop online with curbside pickup, in-store pickup and free shipping available.
As to what items the store offers, Moses said classic styles seem to be in demand: diamond pendants and earrings, and sterling silver pendants and earrings.
Deb Krelow, owner of the Beacon Hotel, 291 Renfrew Road, doesn't think jewelry and flowers are the only options for Valentine's Day 2021. What customers want is a night away from sheltering in place, she said.
“Honestly, at this point, people want to get out,” Krelow said. “They are tired of being cooped up.”That's why the Beacon Hotel is offering a special Valentine's Day dinner for two.She said the price will include an appetizer for two, dinner entrees such as pork loin, shrimp or chicken broccoli alfredo and a side dish and a dessert to share.Krelow said there are plenty of reservations still available for Valentine's Day.The appeal of the meal is more than just food.“People want to be waited on,” she said. “It's been tough for everyone. They just want to go out and be pampered.”Krelow added that since the pandemic began, the hotel has been doing a lot more takeout, but the eat-in side of the business is beginning to catch up.“People are getting back to dining,” she said. “They miss the camaraderie.”But she noted there is still no bar seating.
Judy Ferree, owner of the Hotel Saxonburg, 220 W. Main St., Saxonburg, said the hotel will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, for dining in on Valentine's Day.Ferree said the hotel will offer dinners-for-two specials and special desserts.Anna Marie's Winery & Cafe, 790 E. Butler Road, East Butler, is going to be accommodating sweethearts this Valentine's Day, whether they go out for a meal or get a takeout dinner for a romantic snuggle at home.“We're doing a Sweetheart Box that's packaged all pretty in a basket,” said manager Deanna McKivigan. “It will have candles, wine and a rose as well as a meal.“We're taking orders now for them,” she said.For those wishing to dine in, McKivigan said the dining room will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Feb. 13 and 14 to meet both social distancing requirements and customer demand.“Honest to Pete, we've had people making reservations a month ago, right after Christmas, because they couldn't get in last year,” she said.There will be holiday dinner and wine specials available, McKivigan said.
Lori Steinheiser, owner of Peter's Chocolates, 326 W. Jefferson St., is also expanding hours for the holiday weekend.Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 13 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 14 “for the last-minute shoppers,” Steinheiser said.She said chocolate fanciers can find the perennial favorites such as homemade turtles, cordial cherries and peanut butter meltaways.But Steinheiser has a few newer offerings available.“Right now, we are getting a lot of orders for fresh fruit and chocolate-covered raspberries and strawberries,” she said. “Valentine's Day is the biggest day for chocolate-covered fruit.”
So big, in fact, she advises people to call their orders in early to 724-287-5096.“We try to accommodate everybody who calls and places orders,” Steinheiser said. “We're going to make a few extras for last-minute shoppers.”She's also experimenting with a new way to deliver chocolate to its fans.“We're good friends with the owners of Missing Links Brewery, and we collaborated on something new, a chocolate-covered cherry ale,” said Steinheiser, who supplied the chocolate to the brew masters, Steve Spence and Dan Kos.There will be a release party for the new beer from noon to 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at Missing Links Brewery, 891 Evans City Road.“We'll be there,” Steinheiser said. “For every cherry ale order, you'll get a chocolate-covered cherry.”
