By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
What can be better than some sweet treats while shopping at local businesses?
That’s exactly what you’ll get at the Chocolate Stroll in downtown Plainwell on Saturday, Feb. 10.
City of Plainwell community development manager Denise Siegel serves as organizer of the event, which begins at 10 a.m. and takes place during normal business hours.
“This event is a fun day out exploring downtown Plainwell shops and restaurants while indulging in chocolate treats,” Siegel said. “Many of the shops will offer up a sweet treat or sweet deal for customers, while the restaurants and bars offer up chocolate entrees, desserts or chocolate drinks.”
This is the third year for the Chocolate Stroll. The idea for the event came about when merchants began pushing to host an event in February that would encourage shoppers to get out after the holidays and highlight Valentine’s Day.
“With the event being right before Valentine’s Day, it provides a wonderful opportunity to shop for that special someone,” Siegel said.
The City will also have a Selfie Station available and is asking shoppers to post their pictures to Instagram using #plainwell.
Participating restaurants include:
- Barbed Wire Café: will be offering up chocolate raspberry French toast and peanut butter bourbon frosted brownies
Bloom Eatery: will be whipping up a specialty chocolate coffee
MI Grounds: will be offering an OOO LaLa Latte/Love Potion #9 espresso
10th Street Saloon: will be serving up chocolate martinis
Participating shops include: - Bushel & Peck
- Hart’s Jewelry: gold/diamond gemstones on sale; grab bag prizes with a purchase of $200 or more
- The Rabbits Boutique: will be hosting a make and take workshop, Glittered Michigan (registration required)
- Passiflora: will be serving up chocolate cupcakes from The Fly Inn
- Dragonfly Quilts
- Bridge Street Gallery/Island City Tea
- Fortress of Solitude
- Plainwell Flowers
- Another Man’s Treasure
- Campbell’s Pharmacy
- The Sugar Palace
In addition, there will be a pop-up market at City Hall, located at 211 N. Main St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
And the Friends of Ransom District Library will be hosting a book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library. Chocolate treats will be given out with each purchase.
And with the list of participating businesses continuing to grow, Siegel encourages the public to visit The Chocolate Stroll event page on Facebook for updated information.
“This event has been well received by both shoppers and the business owners the past two years,” Siegel said. “It’s a fun day out on the town to shop and grab lunch or dinner.
“We encourage everyone to stroll downtown, take a selfie, get out of the house no matter the weather and indulge in some chocolate.”
Upcoming events in downtown Plainwell include the Art Hop on Friday, March 8, and the Spring Soiree on Saturday, April 20.