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Batavia businesses to amp up romance factor
![[Molly Zehnder, co-owner of Batavia Floral in Bloom, prepares red roses for a valentine arrangement. The shop is located at 319 Main St., Batavia.]
BATAVIA – The language of love has many ways to express itself this Valentine's Day, and Batavians have almost one week to make it something special straight from the heart.
Batavia Floral in Bloom has been busy preparing to create gifts of flowers. While they design modern bouquets with a variety of different blossoms and color palettes, one flower remains the top pick.
"It's always roses – just classic roses are always what the guys go [for]," co-owner Gail Jackson said, noting the color of the floral emblem for love is almost always red. "Red is love."
She said bouquets featuring roses make up 80 percent of people's requests, adding that even clients who select different flower combinations will ask that roses be mixed in.
Jackson said they appreciate receiving orders about a week in advance, but men usually call a day or two ahead.
"We're used to that – they're last-minute shoppers," she said.
To embellish the gift of flowers, the shop also offers chocolates, balloons and stuffed animals. Batavia Floral in Bloom is located at 319 Main St., tucked behind the buildings fronting Route 31. The website offers lots of colorful inspiration at bataviafloralandgift.com or call 630-879-1446.
Downtown Batavia is home to an unusual date night option, a tranquil retreat at The Salt Escape, 9 N. River St. It's not unusual for couples to book a session together, Debbie DeBoer said.](be0ba606-ad45-4680-90ae-d688ad3a4273/image-pv_web.jpg)
[Molly Zehnder, co-owner of Batavia Floral in Bloom, prepares red roses for a valentine arrangement. The shop is located at 319 Main St., Batavia.]
BATAVIA – The language of love has many ways to express itself this Valentine's Day, and Batavians have almost one week to make it something special straight from the heart.
Batavia Floral in Bloom has been busy preparing to create gifts of flowers. While they design modern bouquets with a variety of different blossoms and color palettes, one flower remains the top pick.
"It's always roses – just classic roses are always what the guys go [for]," co-owner Gail Jackson said, noting the color of the floral emblem for love is almost always red. "Red is love."
She said bouquets featuring roses make up 80 percent of people's requests, adding that even clients who select different flower combinations will ask that roses be mixed in.
Jackson said they appreciate receiving orders about a week in advance, but men usually call a day or two ahead.
"We're used to that – they're last-minute shoppers," she said.
To embellish the gift of flowers, the shop also offers chocolates, balloons and stuffed animals. Batavia Floral in Bloom is located at 319 Main St., tucked behind the buildings fronting Route 31. The website offers lots of colorful inspiration at bataviafloralandgift.com or call 630-879-1446.
Downtown Batavia is home to an unusual date night option, a tranquil retreat at The Salt Escape, 9 N. River St. It's not unusual for couples to book a session together, Debbie DeBoer said.
[Stuffed animals and chocolates add a sweet touch to valentine arrangements at Batavia Floral in Bloom.]
Owner Tim Bradley, a Batavia native, personally built out the idyllic setting in 2016 with its scenic Fox River views as a gateway to a calming, relaxation-devoted retreat – a dimly lit cave constructed of Himalayan salts from the sand-like floor to two walls of delicately translucent blocks of salt that Bradley hand-carved and put in place. Peaceful and quiet, it's designed as a healing room based on the reported benefits of salt.
Artist Joseph Gagnepain of Art by Joseph further enhanced the escapist visuals with a beachfront mural replete with flora, fauna and sunset.
Inside his salt cave, Bradley has placed zero-gravity-style loungers that tilt back to alleviate pressure on the spine. A long bench offers spaces to recline. Soft blankets are available, the lights are dimmed, and an elaborate sound system lets soothing music and ocean sounds play from different points in the room.
To learn more and to make appointments for sessions in the salt cave, call 630-708-7258 and visit thesaltescape.com.
A new piece of jewelry is always a welcome valentine, and Batavia offers retail shops with plenty of sparkle as well as an array of jewelry makers at Water Street Studios, open weekends at 160 S. Water St. To learn more about the artists' original designs or about commissioning pieces, visit waterstreetstudios.org or call 630-761-9977.
And as restaurants across Batavia prepare for the big day Feb. 14, Gaetano's is cooking up a special tasting menu for Valentine's Day at Wilson and North River streets.
"That's the only menu we'll be offering," Manager Abbie Tazelaar said. "It's a choose-your-own adventure."
[Molly Zehnder, co-owner of Batavia Floral in Bloom, places plants in a display area in the shop.]
Before dessert, there will be four Italian courses offering three options, she said. The menu opens with two rounds of appetizers, followed by a risotto and an entree offering meat, fish or vegetarian choices. A wine pairing can be added.
"We can accommodate all food restrictions and allergies," Tazelaar said. "We'll have a dessert trio after the menus."
A couple's celebration isn't limited to Valentine's Day. Tazelaar said each third Monday, including Feb. 19, is parents night.
"It allows parents to dine downstairs quietly and their kids go upstairs and do crafts, play games and do dinner – pizza, pasta and an ice cream sundae," Tazelaar said, noting the kids will have a Valentine's-themed celebration in February.
With the exception of Valentine's Day, guests on Wednesdays can catch the Scott Tipping Trio playing blues, soul and rock-and-roll upstairs in the new lounge area from 7 to 10 p.m. And the bar will offer wine and whiskey flight specials.
Tazelaar said reservations are requested for Valentine's Day and recommended for parents night. She said the restaurant is known for its romantic environment and emphasis on celebrating special occasions.
To learn more, visit gaetanosbatavia.com or call 630-406-3009.