Six & Main is our online store where we show love to local artisans from our sister markets across the nation. | Photo by 6AM City

We’re head over heels for our readers. As we enter the month of love, we want to show our love by helping you choose the sweetest gifts from our online shop, Six & Main, which showcases local artists and small businesses from around the country.

Whether you plan to spend Valentine’s Day with your significant other, friends, or family — or simply by treating yourself — these goods will have you falling in love at first sight.

Taste the love 🍫
Indulge in hand-painted chocolates in this Valentine’s Day 12 Piece Bonbon Gift Box by Marble & Steel Craft Chocolates. Don’t forget to toast to love with a colorful cocktail glass from AlanaKayART, which pairs perfectly with this strawberry lemonade mixer from Simple Times Mixers.

Read the love 💌
Write something sweet to someone special using the “You Make Me Happy” card by Joy Paper Co. If you’re feeling extra smitten, let them know they’re “Quite the Catch.”

Show the love 🎨
No brushes or paint needed for this gift of art. Gift (or keep) this framed quail print by local artist HoneyLuv Design or the “Smiling Faces Beautiful Places” by Dream a little ART SC.

Smell the love 🕯️
Let the mood fill the room with this rosemary sage candle by Resolute Candles, or smell the aroma of Venice with this bellini candle by Wixology Candle Company.

Wear the love ❤️
For the jewelry lovers, check out these heart necklaces from Eleven + Jane. What’s even sweeter? There are matching heart earrings to go with it. If you’d rather don on a love-inspired shirt, this flamingo button-down from Block + Ink is the perfect fit.

There’s more love to go around. Click the button below to explore the entire Valentine’s Day Gift Guide.

START SHOPPING

EVENTS

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Wednesday, Feb. 1

S’more Square Social Hour | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Moore Square Park, 201 S. Blount St., Raleigh | Free | Roast a s’more over a fire pit and enjoy winter activities.
Galentine’s Beginner Calligraphy | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Riparian Provision Co., 1408 S. Saunders St., Raleigh | $70 | Learn how to write in pretty lettering with this introduction to modern calligraphy.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Trivia Night | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 7-9 p.m. | Brookside Bodega, 1000 Brookside Dr., Ste. 119, Raleigh | Free | Register your team to compete for prizes.

Friday, Feb. 3

North Carolina Symphony - All Strings | Friday, Feb. 3 | 12 p.m. | Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $39 | Spend an afternoon being serenaded by strings at the symphony.
First Friday | Friday, Feb. 3 | 4-10 p.m. | Downtown Raleigh, locations vary | Free | Explore art galleries and studios, enjoy live music, and shop local retailers.
Galentine’s Day Bouqs and Cupcakes Class | Friday, Feb. 3 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Sugar Euphoria, 606 N. Person St., Raleigh | $205 | Learn how to create a small bouquet and decorate four boozy cupcakes.

Plan Ahead

Black History Trolley Tour | Saturday, Feb. 18 | Multiple times | Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh | $10 | Learn about the downtown area’s African American heritage; the route includes historic homes, schools, churches, and businesses.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

44º | Showers | 82% chance of rain 🌧️

Closed

Soul Taco, a Latin American and Southern fusion restaurant that opened last July, is now closed. The storefront, located on Morgan Street near Irregardless Cafe, is now up for lease. (Triangle Business Journal)

Community

Tomorrow, Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day, but Sir Walter Wally won’t be holding a Shadow Ceremony — Raleigh’s beloved groundhog has retired from weather prognostication. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences will still have activities, crafts, and games from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., but there will be no live groundhog.

Civic

Wake County recently launched a new Farmland Preservation Program, aiming to conserve the area’s ~700 farms. There are now three programs under the Farmland Preservation Ordinance to protect agricultural land from development. 🚜

Arts

The Gregg Museum of Art & Design at NC State is hosting an opening reception tomorrow, Feb. 2 to celebrate its first exhibitions of 2023. From 6 to 8 p.m., there will be hors d’oeuvres, live music by the United Strings of Color, and poems by the Poetry Fox. Learn more. 🎨

Try This

Head to 321 Coffee on Valentine’s Day to celebrate love and community. This after-hours event will feature hand-crafted mocktails, sweet treats, and a toast to elevating others. Tickets ($25) include a bag of coffee that you’ll address to another Raleighite (like a card, but better). ☕

Sports

The ACC announced its 2023 football season schedule on Monday, and the News & Observer predicted some notable games in NC State’s upcoming season. First, the Pack will face UConn on Sept. 2. View the full schedule. 🏈

Active

Looking for a new way to move your body? Enter YogaSix, Raleigh’s new yoga studio offering class types for every fitness level, from first-time practitioners to seasoned yogis. See how it went when we tried out a Sculpt & Flow class and learn how to snag a free class.*

Real Estate

Charming neighborhoods, low-maintenance townhomes, shopping, dining, schools, and miles of walking trails in a 3,000 acre country setting — Flowers Plantation has it all, all in one place. Learn how to become a resident of this one-of-a-kind community located 25 minutes from Raleigh.*

Shop

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift? Pamper your sweetie with a Synergy Face + Body gift card so they can indulge in facials, massages, makeup + more.*

Seasonal

Instead of roses or chocolate, opt for an experiential Valentine’s Day gift this year, like an intimacy card deck or chocolate truffle making kit from Uncommon Goods. Wanna plan the ultimate date night? Order this fondue set for two or enjoy this virtual romantic painting class. 💝 *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

ANSWERED

Dreaming up a waterfront park 💭

A rendering of the Midtown Waterfront Park. | Image via City of Raleigh

We recently shared the latest updates on Walkable Midtown, a project aiming to transform the area into a more connected and pedestrian-friendly space. Plans are being considered for a waterfront park along Crabtree Creek, so we asked you what features you’d like to see in its design. Here are some ideas our readers shared:

Benches and picnic tables along the creek that are accessible from nearby parking for people with disabilities. — Marcia M.
[Keep the park] as natural as possible, with shaded areas; building grade and layers would be great. — Torian H.
Mimic NCMA park features; a place to get a coffee and sit and a place to get a glass of wine and watch the sunset; grass spaces for picnics, art, separate walking and biking paths, water fountains for dogs and humans, and bathrooms. — Catherine B.
A circular whirlpool pool like at Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center but outdoors, a splash pad, water slides, and an awning over the pool area. — Betsy A.

Click the link below to learn more about the Midtown Waterfront District.

WHAT WE KNOW

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anne.

Editor’s pick: If you haven’t heard, I’m getting married next year. Planning a wedding means that I have the pleasure of meeting countless local vendors. Right now, I’m focused on flowers. Know a local wedding florist? Send me their deets. 🌹

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? It’s time to make local Valentine’s Day plans.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Charis Painter | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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