Small Business Sweeties

How-To Valentine's Day on Grand Street 2024

Happy Valentine’s Day! Need last minute plans on this special day with your special someone? Then you’re in the right place! This Valentine’s guide lists specials, deals, events, and the best spots to shop on Grand Street! There is an abundance of ways to spread love this winter season - whether you are doing something special with a significant other or partner, spending time with friends and family, or most importantly showing love for yourself! Check out “How-to” Valentines Day on Grand Street for all the inside tips.

Flowers

Flowers are a Valentine's day staple. Start off the month by gifting someone you love with a floral surprise. Or make some room on your coffee table, and treat yourself to a gorgeous bouquet to brighten your space.

Flores Del Valle (706 Grand Street) - Choose from an extensive selection of flowers, and colorful, decorative arrangements at this long standing flower shop. Whether you want to purchase a single flower, a bouquet, or inquire about their amazing custom arrangements, swing by to surprise that special someone!

Events

Crystal Lake Brooklyn (647 Grand Street) - Crystal Lake is hosting a Valentine’s party in partnership with Brooklyn Hearts Club! Drink specials, games and more, from 8PM - 12AM. (21+)

Nieves Dance Studio (670 Grand Street) - Swing by Nieves Dance Studio for their Valentines Day Social! Salsa and Bachata the night away, from 8PM - 12AM. Free for members, $25 for guests. Tacos will be served!

Medusa (618 Grand Street) - Grand Street’s newest bar Medusa is hosting “Snake Bite”, a burlesque show at 8PM! (21+)

Blinky’s (609 Grand Street) - Blinky’s is hosting a Takoyaki Pop-Up, in partnership with YokoNips - Get some delicious Takoyaki from 6PM - 10PM! Blinky’s will also be showing a variety of Romance movies for their annual Love-Movie- Marathon!

specials and deals

Ubi Market (655 Grand Street) - Buy one Boba and get the 2nd one free at Ubi Market - exclusively on Valentine’s Day!

Lucy’s Vietnamese (649 Grand Street) - Double the Pho, Double the Joy! Buy one get Pho get one free at Lucy’s Vietnamese today! *One free Pho per order, must order online at lucysvietnamese.com”

Wine, Dine, and Desert

Nothing says love like food. Grand Street has it all, from delicious dishes to bottles of bubbly, and sweet treats! Dine out or treat yourself or someone you love to a night in. Below are just a few of Grand Street's restaurants and desert spots that can spark some ideas to find the perfect Valentine's day vibe for you.

WINE

Los Tacos Mcondo (502 Grand Street) - Drink your heart out with a Cupid Cosmo from Los Tacos Mcondo - exclusively on Valentine’s Day!

The Clonard (506 Grand Street) - Grand Street's classic Irish pub is warm and cheerful. With ample table space and a cozy bar in the back its a great spot to spend time with friends or someone special.

Check out Blue Angel Wine and Spirits or Richie's Wine and Liquors for a bottle of wine, bubbly, or cocktail ingredients for a festive evening in.

DINE

Ammazzacaffè (702 Grand Street) - Grand Street's Michelin rated Italian Restaurant is the perfect place to have a romantic evening. Dine in their heated backyard or get it to-go! You can even purchase whole bottles of wine with your takeout order. Go to their website to make reservations or order to-go!

La Chacra (613 Grand Street) - Swing by La Chacra for their Pre-fixed Valentine’s menu! Enjoy specials like Ceviche de Pescado, Lomo Saltodo alongside a glass of Rose!

Dar 525 (525 Grand Street) - This Mediterranean staple has heated outdoor dining as well as takeout. Share a delicious platter with someone you love or order for yourself! They also have happy hour from 12-7 everyday, with wine specials galore. Order and look at their menu here.

Café Zouave (759 Grand Street) - Have a romantic dinner at Café Zouave and enjoy their delicious French cuisine. From classics like French onion soup to Steak and frites, Café Zouave is Grand Street’s newest French Bistro and perfect for a romantic dinner.

DESSERT

Yummy Tummy’s Kitchen

Yummy Tummy's Kitchen (793 Grand Street) - is offering up some delicious valentine's treats. Including heart shaped brownies, red velvet & rose cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries, and more. Get something sweet for your sweet, these deserts will say it all! Check out their Instagram to see all their specials.

Grand Morelos (727 Grand Street) - This classic Mexican diner and bakery is serving up delicious sweets, pastries and more! Check out their full case of baked goods right as you walk in the door. Stop by today or order online.

Grooming and Self Care

Williamsburg Facial and Waxing Studio (527 Grand Street) - You'll be looking and feeling your best in no time after trying one of these amazing skin treatments. Zofia's expertise and top of the line products make the perfect treat for yourself or gift for someone you love. Click here to book an appointment or buy products.

Hour Rose Salon (658D Grand Street) - Make an appointment at Hour Rose Salon for a trim, color, or completely new look!

Hair By Catherine (584 Grand Street) - Catherine can help you get glam and feeling good with a cut and color.

Spa Ella II (529 Grand Street) - Spa Ella II specializes in custom tips and nail design. You'll be looking and feeling glam in no time!

Yummy Extensions (675 Grand Street) - Treat yourself to Yummy Extensions famed hair styles, inlcluding some of the highest quality, wigs, extensions and more!

Stop by Groomers and Pomade (796 Grand Street) or Cutz On Lorimer (483 Lorimer) for a fresh cut, touch up and shave! Have yourself looking and feeling great during this dreary month.

Primp and Polish (586 Grand Street) - Nothing makes you feel fresh, clean, and beaitiful like a mani-pedi. Make an appointment with Primp and Polish for a mini spa day, or purchase some of their nail care products!

Be A Small Business Sweetie this Valentines Day!

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, it’s time to show love! Every February, we encourage the neighborhood to show love to your community by being a #SmallBusinessSweetie! Small businesses are the foundation of what makes Grand Street special and we’d like them to know it. Join us for our 4th annual Crafts and Cocktails at Blinky’s and Medusa to make Valentines! We’re supplying art materials for you to craft the perfect valentine, whether it's for a partner, a local business, a friend, or a pet. Enjoy drink specials and get creative!

Sunday 2/11 @ Blinky’s, 609 Grand Street 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Wednesday 2/13 @ Medusa, 618 Grand Street 6:00PM - 8:00PM

The best Grand Street Valentine made wins a free Grand Street Passport! Making a Valentine for your favorite Grand Street business enters you into a raffle for a free passport. Get $5 off a Grand Street Passport if you purchase at one of our Crafts and Cocktails events!

Be a Small Business Sweetie This Valentine’s Day

The Grand Street BID is teaming up with 20+ other community based organizations in New York City to Spread Love, Shop Local. For Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating small businesses and the community through the Small Business Sweeties Campaign.

Sweethearts Shop Local…Be a #SmallBusinessSweetie

Now in its third year, a group of neighborhood organizations across New York City’s five boroughs, have joined forces to deliver messages of love and support to small businesses throughout the city – all in time for Valentine’s Day.

Each of the 20+ participating neighborhood groups (complete list below) will customize its Valentine’s Day Small Business Sweeties program to its own area, with the common message to show the love to small businesses. Some examples include, crafts and cocktails Valentine making at district bars; raffles for patrons who leave positive reviews for neighborhood businesses; encouraging locals to submit e-valentines for their favorite district businesses; and highlighting the Valentine’s Day offerings in their neighborhoods.

Participating neighborhoods and their businesses differ, but the message is the same: Shop local; Call direct for delivery; Leave a positive review; Give a shout out on social media; and show love to local businesses to be a #SmallBusinessSweetie.

The event started in the uncertain times of Covid-19 as a way for communities to show love and support for their local businesses. The success of the event has inspired this group of organizations from across the city to continue to build on the event each year. 

“Delivering valentines made by loyal customers to small business owners is undeniably sweet. Seeing the smiles hit their faces as they realize how beloved they are to our community is so joyful,” said Erin Piscopink, Executive Director of the Grand Street BID.

“The businesses of North Flatbush Avenue are easy to love,” said James Ellis, Executive Director of the North Flatbush Avenue BID. “With this collective Valentine's support campaign, we are excited to highlight some of our "sweeties" and encourage consumers to buy local directly from the business, leave positive reviews as ‘love notes’, and explore some of our curated holiday itineraries showcasing some Prospect Heights and Park Slope experiences and gift ideas along North Flatbush Avenue.”

“The NoHo Business Improvement District is thrilled to participate in this third annual #SmallBusinessSweeties campaign alongside more than 20 other organizations. Supporting small businesses is at the very core of what we do, and we’re excited to uplift the small, special businesses that help make NoHo and all of New York the dynamic place we know and love,” said Cordelia Persen, Executive Director of the NoHo BID.

“The Forest Avenue BID is happy to be part of this city-wide collaboration with our fellow BIDs and community organizations. Shop small and feel good!  On Staten Island we some great shops for gifts and services for your valentine,” said Nina Flores, Executive Director of the Forest Avenue BID. “Become a #smallbusinesssweetie and share the love - shop - write a review - place an order.  Do your part to keep your neighborhood alive and vibrant.  Our small businesses are gonna love you for it!”

“Sunnyside Shines is excited to be part of Small Business Sweeties.  Our merchants need more love and this campaign helps us show them how much we appreciate them, and can increase their sales through social media,” said Dirk McCall de Paloma, Executive Director of the Sunnyside Shines BID.

Participating organizations: Bronx: Westchester Square BID. Brooklyn: Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, FAB Fulton BID, Flatbush Development Corporation, Graham Avenue BID, Grand Street BID, North Flatbush Avenue BID, Sunset Park BID. Manhattan: Atlantic Avenue BID, Columbus Avenue BID, Grand Central Partnership, Hudson Square BID, Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance, Meatpacking District BID, NoHo BID, Village Alliance. Queens: Bayside Village BID, MiQ (Made in Queens), Sunnyside Shines BID. Staten Island: Downtown Staten Island, Forest Avenue BID, Castleton Avenue Merchants Association.

Small Business Sweeties Returns

The Grand Street BID is teaming up with 24 other community based organizations in New York City to Spread Love, Shop Local. For Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating small businesses and the community through the Small Business Sweeties Campaign.

Sweethearts Shop Local…Be a #SmallBusinessSweetie

For the second straight year, a group of neighborhood organizations representing New York City’s five boroughs, have joined forces to deliver messages of love and support to small businesses throughout the city – all in time for Valentine’s Day, February 14.

Each of the 25 participating neighborhood associations (complete list below) will customize its Valentine’s Day Sweethearts Shop Local program to its own area, with the common message to show the love to small businesses. Some examples are providing a free chocolate rose to VDay diners at participating restaurants (Downtown Staten Island, SI Chamber of Commerce); Celebrity Couples Photo Contest (Bay Ridge 5th Avenue BID); and Valentine making at district bars (Grand Street BK BID). The Grand Street BID is hosting Local Loving programs throughout February, click here for full details. Additionally, The How-To Valentine’s Day Guide for Grand Street has all the information you need about special deals, events, and how to celebrate by shopping at local businesses.

Locations differ, but the message is the same: Shop local; Call direct for delivery; Leave a positive review; Give a shout out on social media; and Takeout Tuesdays.

Sweethearts Shop Local came about last year when graduates of the noted Coro Neighborhood Leadership Program (https://coronewyork.org/coro-programs/neighborhood-leadership/)
recently met up on Zoom to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the leadership program. Many of the participating neighborhood organizations are led by Coro grads whose mission is to learn how the city works so they can make it better.

“It was so nice, we’re doing it twice,” says Janet Dugo of Downtown Staten Island Commercial District. “Last year’s Small Business Sweetie campaign really helped businesses across Staten Island and New York City.”

Manhattan’s Cordelia Persen of the NoHo BID says she’s delighted to “spread the Valentine’s Day cheer about the small businesses of all shapes, sizes and ages that drive the special vibrancy of NoHo and Lower Manhattan.”

“We’re thrilled to be part of the second annual Sweethearts Shop Local program,” says Yasmin Cruz of the Westchester Square BID in the Bronx. “This five-borough initiative shows the strength of NYC. We hope to make a difference with this campaign by spreading love and support.”

Brooklyn’s Park Slope 5th Avenue BID’s Joanna Tallantire says “Show the love to our small businesses for Valentine’s Day. Shop, dine and enjoy but don’t forget to write a review, tell a neighbor, spread the word about your experience and bring the business even more love!”

Queens’ Christine Siletti from Bayside Village BID points to the connection between healthy neighborhoods and healthy commercial corridors. She says, “We’re happy to celebrate that connection. Shopping Local is an act of love. It’s how we’ve been getting through the pressures of the last year and a half.”

All participating organizations: BROOKLYN: Atlantic Avenue BID, Bay Ridge 5th Avenue BID, Church and Flatbush Avenue BID, FAB Fulton, FDC w/Cortelyou Road and Newkirk Plaza Merchants Association, North Flatbush Avenue BID, Grand Street BID, Park Slope 5th Avenue BID. BRONX: Jerome Gun Hill, Morris Park BID, Westchester Square BID, WHEDco and Southern Boulevard Merchant Association. QUEENS: 82nd Street/Jackson Heights, Bayside Village, Queens Economic Development Corporation/Made in Queens, Woodhaven BID. MANHATTAN: Chinatown BID/Partnership, Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, NoHo BID, Village Alliance, Union Square Partnership. STATEN ISLAND: Forest Avenue BID, Castleton Avenue Merchants Organization (CAMO), Downtown Staten Island /SI Chamber of Commerce.