From chocolate-covered strawberries to ‘BashCakes,’ why you should shop local for Valentine’s Day
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, Centre County shoppers may find themselves rushing to the nearest store to pick up a heart-shaped box of chocolates or a brightly hued stuffed animal. But Happy Valley chocolatiers, bakers and confectioners give ample reasons why shoppers should skip the big-box stores this holiday and, instead, shop local — and those reasons start with the localized, personal touch you won’t find elsewhere.
“It’s (due to) the personal service that you get at our stores,” said Joe DeStadio, president, Gardners Candies, when discussing the brand’s longevity. While Gardners Candies is headquartered in Tyrone, a boutique Gardners candy store sits in State College, at 1613 N. Atherton St. “Our employees are very knowledgeable and very helpful, helping customers select particular items ... especially if they’re not sure what they want to buy. It’s (also due to) the quality of our product and the ingredients that go into producing all of our items.”
Business developer Michelle Depue at Chocolates by Leopold noted something similar. While, she said, those who maybe haven’t stopped into the Boalsburg storefront in a while may notice new products and options, the business hasn’t changed “what makes (Chocolates by Leopold) special — incredible chocolates, excellent service and willingness to complete custom orders.”
Area confectioners also stand out due to their one-of-a-kind offerings, both long-standing crowd-favorite products and newer items.
“We have a Valentine’s-only, limited edition of our cinnamon nonpareils and, this year, we brought back the molded cinnamon heart,” said Depue, pointing out that both, along with her personal favorite, the peanut butter truffle heart, were items unique to the Boalsburg shop.
At Gardners, the team recently began offering BashCakes, which DeStadio described as a tabletop pinata made from chocolate and shaped like a cupcake. The BashCake comes with a wooden mallet, with which to break open the decorated chocolate shell to reveal other candies within. Valentine’s Day BashCakes, covered in pink and white heart sprinkles, hide customers’ choices of either chocolate-covered pretzels or Gardners’ best-selling chocolate, the Original Peanut Butter Meltaways.
Also new at Gardners are the brand’s take on the winter-favorite hot cocoa bombs that have garnered so much popularity over the last few years. Gardners’ hot cocoa bombs are filled with sweetened cocoa powder and miniature marshmallows.
“It’s pretty cool, but don’t count your calories when you’re drinking that,” DeStadio laughed.
New offerings are also on tap from Sweet Temptations by Terri. Owner Terri Spahr has been quickly building her business, expanding from farmers markets to a café location within Old Gregg School Community and Recreation Center in Spring Mills, while also working to convert a camper van into a mobile bakery bar, which she hopes to launch later in the year.
This Valentine’s Day, Spahr is offering chocolate-covered strawberries, decadent cupcakes and decorated cookies and desserts for two, including tiramisu trifles and miniature cheesecakes.
“I am not sure what other bakers are planning (for Valentine’s Day), but I do know that all of our styles are very different, including how we approach different flavor profiles. I like trying to create some unique flavor combinations,” she said.
Chocolate-covered strawberries are also a focus this holiday for Sweet Tooth Bakery & Café in downtown State College.
“On Valentine’s Day, chocolate-covered strawberries are the biggest seller. Ours are different because we don’t just stripe them with colored chocolate, but (we also) add a lot of sprinkles and Valentine’s Day-themed candies. We dip them that day, not ahead of time, so they don’t ‘weep.’ We offer milk, dark, white and sugar-free chocolate options. Some customers get a mix, while others are more specific about what they want,” said owner Cheri Christian.
No matter what tasty treats you plan to buy your sweetie for Valentine’s Day, though, local vendors urge you to plan ahead, as much as you can.
“We always like customers to order early, so we can make sure we have enough product available, but there are always the last-minute walk-ins — usually guys — for strawberries,” said Christian. “If customers wait until the afternoon, they may get the smaller-sized berries.”
Spahr likewise added, “I do ask for 24 hours’ notice and pick-ups can be at my shop in Spring Mills or, on Valentine’s Day, at Boalsburg Farmers Market from 2-6 p.m.”
