A few “shop-local” ways to treat your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day (in Van Ness, Tenleytown, Cleveland Park and Chevy Chase DC)

by Katherine Saltzman

Last week, we noted a few Valentine’s specials at Thai Pad, Acacia Bistro, Sfoglina and I’m Eddie Cano. Here are more ways to show your love to your Valentine – and to your favorite local businesses – on this holiday and any day.

Calvert Woodley Fine Wines & Spirits

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Calvert Woodley says it has gifts for those who want to send the message: “I love you… and I know you love wine, too.” Its Valentine’s offerings include chocolate-dipped bottles of wine, chocolate truffles, and gift baskets filled with cheese, crackers, salami and two half bottles of wine.

Italian Pizza Kitchen

The perfect Valentine’s outing for the whole family!
Italian Pizza Kitchen in #VanNess (@IpkVan) has ❤️-shaped #pizza, both savory AND sweet! 🍕🍫🍓 pic.twitter.com/f5PlIt9pV5

— Van Ness Main Street (@VanNessMainSt) February 11, 2019

Medium Rare

For a ninth year, Medium Rare is offering a lifetime of free anniversary meals to couples who get engaged there on Valentine’s Day.

Coppi’s Organic Restaurant

Show your love your creative side by making your own Valentine’s cards with supplies provided by Coppi’s in Cleveland Park. And enjoy live music between 6 and 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Reservations are recommended.

Little Red Fox

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Our staff have dubbed these weekly delights “Kandis Cakes.” Sheet cake dressed to the nines by our baker @kandisnm. Pictured here is chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream & a shortbread cookie. More cake coming soon @sugarfoxdc! 🍰🦊

A post shared by Little Red Fox (@littleredfoxdc) on Feb 8, 2019 at 9:35am PST

Le Chat Noir

Tenleytown’s Le Chat Noir is the closest we can get to a romantic night in Paris. The restaurant is offering a 3-course, prix fixe Valentine’s menu complete with a rose and chocolate.

Periwinkle Gifts

Periwinkle Gifts and next-door neighbor Full of Beans on Livingston Street in Chevy Chase DC

Though many of its Valentine-themed offerings have sold out, Periwinkle owner Judy Philactos says the Chevy Chase store has an assortment of locally-produced and Swiss and French artisanal chocolates, keepsake tins and specialty Valentine’s cards.

Periwinkle Gifts is also marking 20 years in business.

“I started Periwinkle in the basement of my house as a gift basket business,” Philactos told Forest Hills Connection. “I became kind of lonely doing it from home and was looking for a storefront, which is how we ended up here” on Livingston Street off Connecticut Avenue in 1999.

In 1984, Philactos, a long-time DC resident and entrepreneur, opened a carry-out restaurant at 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW with her husband, but after starting a family, they sold the location. In 1992, Philactos helped open the Georgetown Dean & DeLuca, where she directed the bread, pastry and chocolate department, and later, the gift department. However, Philactos felt called to open her own business again.

“We have been here for 20 years and the community has been very supportive. We wouldn’t have lasted if they didn’t like what we were doing,” Philactos said. “We try to work with the community, be available for community events and contribute to the school’s auctions and whatever we can do to host interns and high school students. Local public school students work here and have worked here over the years. We are really community based. We know our customers by name, and they know us.”