By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
Chocolate lovers, rejoice.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day weekend, the City of Plainwell is hosting The Chocolate Stroll on Saturday, Feb. 12. The event will combine sweet treats with sweet deals at participating businesses in the downtown shopping district.
Plainwell community development manager Denise Siegel was introduced to the idea of a chocolate-themed event during networking sessions with members of the Michigan Downtown Associations.
“This idea was shared as a great way to motivate people to shop downtown,” Siegel said. “January and February can be very slow months for our shops and our Downtown Development Authority and merchant group were looking for ideas and events to help bring people downtown.
“This event was a fun idea and something that many of our businesses jumped on.”
Among the treats/deals people can expect to find are:
- Envy of Plainwell is featuring a chocolate fountain and sales throughout the shop.
- Passiflora is offering a hot chocolate bar.
- The Calico Rabbit Boutique owners have lined up some sweet deals.
- Bridge Street Deli will offer a Spin the Wheel deal.
- Bridge St. Gallery will be offering ginger chocolate treats with the recipe, with shoppers able to purchase the spices needed to make the treat. Also, tea will be served for customers.
- Barbed Wire Café will be offering chocolate beignets and chocolate tarts.
- Nancy’s Kitchen is offering strawberry pancakes with chocolate sauce.
- Dog & The Bank will be serving up a delicious chocolate dessert that has yet to be announced.
Other participating businesses include Dragonfly Quilts and Hart’s Jewelry.
“The business owners were all very excited and interested in participating when it was brought up,” Siegel said. “They all are planning some really great chocolate treats and/or some really sweet deals.”
In addition, an indoor farmer’s market will take place inside Plainwell City Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Vendors will be offering up some great treats, steals and deals,” Siegel said of the indoor market.”
Nancy’s Kitchen is slated to open at 7 a.m., with Barbed Wire Café opening at 8 a.m. Dog & the Bank is slated to open at 10 a.m., as are the other businesses.
“This is the first of what we hope will be many more Chocolate Strolls to come,” Siegel said. “It’s a great opportunity to come and explore Plainwell.”
