Sweetest Day: Shop Local to Celebrate The Sweet People in Your Life
By Layla Joseph
Hallmark holiday alert! Sweetest Day, observed the third Saturday of October, is now on your radar. If you weren’t thinking about how to treat the sweet people in your life this Saturday, you now have time to plan.
According to Hallmark, this American holiday dates back to the early 1920s after an employee at an Ohio candy company gave small gifts and candies to people who were orphans or isolated in an effort to spread joy.
You may be wondering, what is the difference between Sweetest Day and Valentines Day? While Valentine's Day is reserved for you and your partner, Sweetest Day encourages you to celebrate anyone you care about.
For Pittsburghers that are professional procrastinators, forgetful or just now learning about this holiday, DNA has compiled a list of sweet treats found around the Golden Triangle that serve as the perfect pick-me-up for anyone special in your life.
Farmer’s Daughters Flowers | North Shore | $$
Stereotypically, a farmer’s daughter would have a great knowledge of agriculture. Farmer’s Daughters Flowers in the Strip District is proof that sometimes stereotypes hold merit. While bouquets are the establishment’s speciality, the exclusively designed merchandise is worth browsing. For Pittsburghers looking for flowers, the Petite Bouquet available for pick up is $40, full of color and quite large despite the description.
Jim Ludwig’s Blumengarten Florist and Flower Delivery | Strip District | $$
With a wide variety of blooming arrangements, Jim and Tim have you covered. Browse from simple floral arrangements ranging as low as $35 to elaborate bouquets up to $219 in the Sweetest Day Collection.
City Grows | Strip District | $
Located in the historic Terminal is a shop that allows you to buy plants that are as undying as your love for the special people in your life. City Grows holds an extensive selection of house plants, succulents and more. If you have more than one sweetie, this shop is an affordable option that holds a collection of gifts that will grow. Venus fly traps, succulents and popular house plants can be purchased for under $10 each in store.
Eiseltown Flowers & Gifts | South Side | $$
Pittsburgh’s South Side is home to a florist with flourishing blooms and imagination. With arrangements like Amethyst Splendor Succulent Bouquet and Pumpkin N’ Posies, you will certainly find something to accentuate your home and make your sweetie smile. If you order the arrangement by noon, you can pick-up your flowers on the same day. Prices for bouquets start at $50, but for the quality and craftsmanship, it’s a reasonable price.
PGH Candle | North Shore | $$
Swing into Sweetest Day with scents that are sure to satisfy your significant other. PGH Candle is an all-in-one gift shop with unique cards and scents to keep the burning love in your home. The shop creates 100% soy-wax candles to create a long-lasting, natural burn. In addition to their signature scents, PGH Candle has released a collaboration with Iron City Beer allowing you to support two local brands at the same time. Whether you are looking for a masculine or feminine gift, everyone loves candles!
love, | Downtown | $$
The owners of love, Pittsburgh started a brand of their own centered around things they love and think you will too. With an online shop and a Downtown location, there are so many things to love about the merchandise. The Cœur collection features a variety of gifts with minimalist designs that allow for a clean and chic way to express gratitude for the special someone in your life. With five collections to browse featuring candles, apparel, cards and other goodies, there is something for anyone with elegant taste.
Laurie’s Hallmark Shop | Downtown | $$
See the sights at the newly renovated Fifth Avenue Place and stop into Laurie’s Hallmark Shop for an extensive assortment of gifts great for anyone. Pick up a candle, trinket, locally created card and more from this privately owned Hallmark store.
Kelly’s Sweets and Greets | Downtown | $
Kelly’s is home of St. Mortiz Chocolatier, allowing Pittsburghers to shop high-quality chocolate and unique gifts Downtown. Grab a gift that will make your loved ones giggle, extravagant cards or something to satisfy a sweet tooth. Shop childrens’ gifts, bath bombs, activities and more, allowing you to complete your Sweetest Day shopping with just one stop.
Cobbler World | Downtown | $
Stop in today through Friday and grab comfort food in the form of dessert. Cookies, cakes and of course, cobblers all made fresh in the Golden Triangle. There is a wide variety of sweet baked goods available daily including mouthwatering pies, cheesecakes, breads and more.
