Valparaiso residents were treated with a lovely event downtown to get people in the spirit of Valentine’s Day on Thursday, February 8. Valparaiso Events orchestrated the 2nd annual Galentine’s Shop Around throughout local business downtown.
Twenty locations participated in this year’s event. Katie Hoag, owner of Six Cypress Boutique, played a part in the inaugural Galentine’s Shop Around last year and describes how this event opens doors for the entire community.
“Getting the customers out to understand the importance of shopping downtown and knowing what’s here so they can spread the word is the biggest thing,” Hoag said. “It was so great that Valparaiso Events took over the event this year because they have a bigger reach to help all the local businesses in this event.”
Hoag discusses how their business is utilizing the Galentine’s Shop Around for customers that come into the store.
“With the abundance of people that have come in, we’re trying to give them a chance to see what our spring collection looks like,” Hoag said. “We’ve been using social media nonstop to share what our store and the other businesses are doing as much as we can.”
Six Cypress Boutique is a women’s clothing and accessories store in downtown. It was one of many businesses that provided sweet treats, drinks or surprise gifts for their customers during the event. Some other businesses include Designer Desserts, Old World Market, Rocket Fizz, Wilhelmina’s Home Decor & Art, Lifestyles, The Spice & Tea Exchange, Hungry Hound and Indie Indie Bang! Bang!
“People might be out here looking to make date night plans to get in the spirit of Valentine’s Day,” Hoag said. “The weather has definitely been great today to get people in the mood to have some fun shopping after feeling cooped up most of January.”
Another person that helped provide for the Galentine’s Shop Around was Sami Welter, owner of Ella Jayms. Welter believes that the increased number of businesses has contributed to a better experience for customers
“I think what’s really cool in the second year of this event is that there are more businesses involved this time around,” Welter said. “Giving the customers more places to go is a great way to allow them to explore downtown Valparaiso. A lot of the people who came last year knew what to expect this time around and we’re doing what we can as businesses to make this a really fun night.”
Welter considers this to be an exhilarating evening, especially for the ladies to create memories and discover fascinating gifts.
“This is the ultimate girls’ night,” Welter said. “Everybody loves an excuse to grab your best friend, daughter, sister or mom and come out to have some fun. It’s typically in the dead of winter, so it’s nice for people that celebrate Valentine’s Day to have something they can look forward to.”
Katie Abel, executive director for Valparaiso Events, shares her appreciation for everyone that contributed to the success in this year’s celebration.
“We are very lucky to have such an amazing downtown filled with local stores and restaurants. The Galentine’s Shop Around is a great way for people to celebrate friendships and prepare for Valentine’s Day gifts and activities all while showing some love to the local small businesses that help Valpo thrive.”
For more information on Valparaiso Events, you can visit its website.
