Valentine's Day Picks and Promotions

Ah, Valentine’s day- a day for romance, love, and merriment. But what to do with that special someone to make it an occasion worth remembering for years to come?

We’ve poked and prodded about Massapequa businesses and come up with a few special promotions and events sure impress your significant other and make your Valentine’s Day one for the record books.

Susan Jaccard-Baeyens, manger of , said that her shop has everything you might need to fit both your time and your budget.

"We have candy for Valentine's Day, which is not an item we normally carry. So, it's kind of like one-stop shopping," she said. "Plus, we have pre-made bouquets in a flower cart outside the store, with many different prices so you can just come and go...you don’t have to sit and wait for anything.”

In addition, Tim’s Florist offers an extra incentive to last-minute customers, which also doubles as an apology for the higher holiday prices.

“We give out coupons on Valentine’s Day,” Jaccard-Baeyens said. “Whoever walks into the store and buys a dozen roses on Valentine’s Day gets a coupon for a free dozen roses during the months of July and August.”

Valentine’s Day not only represents love eternal, but something equally as important- eating lots and lots and lots of delicious chocolate. And what better place to get your fix this Feb. 14th than , the “Meeting and Eating” spot of Massapequa?

Krisch's owner Steve McCue said that he breaks out a special confectionery treat especially just for Valentine’s Day.

“We’re very famous for our long-stem chocolate-covered strawberries...we dip our own,” he said. “We have our home-made chocolates...boxed chocolates and our candy case chocolates that we sell in the store as well.”

Nothing spells romance quite like a candlelit dinner for two, and many restaurants in Massapequa are gearing up for the Valentine’s Day rush. Among them is Restaurant and Bar, located at 5599 Merrick Road.

Like many eateries this holiday, Hudson's Mill is offering a special ala carte Valentine’s Day menu, which includes several Chef Specials guaranteed to whet your appetite on your big night out, and the upscale surroundings offered by Hudson's Mill will only serve to enhance your dining experience.

Of course, not every couple needs to be inundated with fine wine and opulence to express their innermost feelings to one another. Sometimes a slider and coke will suffice, which brings us to the Massapequa location of famous burger chain White Castle and their bizarre Valentine’s Day tradition.

“The restaurants are nicely decorated and the tables have tablecloths,” said Susan Milazzo, a supervisor at White Castle’s New York corporate headquarters. “They have chocolates, and people who make reservations get cheesecake on a stick for free. We have special Valentine’s Day menus, and a hostess to seat the customers, and servers who provide actual table service. It’s just like any regular sit-down restaurant.”

This unusual Valentine’s Day tradition (which requires reservations to be made beforehand) has actually existed for some time, Milazzo said.

“White Castle Systems started this in 1991,” she said. “New York joined in about four years ago. We just thought it was something fun to do for our family and friends.”

And of course, aside from flowers, there’s one item every lady covets come Valentine’s Day- jewelry. located at 5278 Sunrise Highway, is offering a special Valentine’s Day Celebration event on Sunday, Feb, 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Light refreshments will be offered, in addition to raffles, which will include prizes such as a dozen roses, Godiva Chocolates, a $100 gift card to local restaurant Chao Baby, and the big one: a $500 heart pendant.

And finally, some couples may also like to explore the naughty side of their relationship on Valentine’s Day. Jean, owner of , located at 26 Broadway, said that they’re holding a special promotion to celebrate the holiday of love.

“We’re holding a special sale- the entire store is 20 percent off, and we also have items that are up to 50 percent off,” she said. “Valentine’s Day gifts are sweeter than candy...that’s our slogan. We have great customer service and a large selection, and I’m grateful that for over 20 years I’ve had a lot of repeat customers.”