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💝 Local gifts made easy
You can’t go wrong with a friend date filled with flowers. | Photo by TG Floristry
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner — and don’t worry, we’ve got the gifts covered. If you’re looking to keep things classic this V-Day, consider shopping local for the essentials including chocolate, flowers, and spa treatments for your beau.
For your sweetheart
Indulge your valentine in a gift that’s as sweet as them. Shop trays of bonbons and hot-sauce infused chocolate to spice things up from Videri, or give the gift of adventure with a tasting kit from Escazú.
For a last-minute meal
Reservation-free restaurants are a little more risky on holidays like Valentine’s Day, but with the right timing, you can have a top-notch meal without any of the reservation scrambling. For a classic steak dinner, try The Peddler, which is reservation-free for groups smaller than eight, and for something more eclectic, go for Stanbury. If you’re looking for just drinks and dessert, grab a seat at Bittersweet.
Winston-Salem offers romantic experiences for couples looking to get away. | Photos provided by Visit Winston-Salem
Valentine’s Day is this Saturday, Feb. 14. It’s not too late to book a romantic escape right here in NC: Winston-Salem’s lively downtown, historic accommodations, award-winning dining, and rich history create plenty of opportunities for unforgettable moments together.
We’ve got the planning started, so you can focus onfalling in love all over again.
Top date night picks
Discover hidden gems together at these local favorites, vetted by real Winston-Salem couples.
Have a cozy dinner for two at Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar Tuscani, or Sage & Salt
Sip locally-made wine at rolling vineyards in nearby Yadkin Valley
Explore Winston-Salem’s vibrant Downtown Arts District or catch a live show
Romantic stays
Founded in 1766, Winston-Salem has no shortage of timelessly elegant historic inns + hotels.
Graylyn Estate | USA Today’s No. 2 boutique hotel in America
The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel | Iconic 1929 Art Deco skyscraper
Feeling hangry? A new chicken spot called Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings is set to open this summer at Quail Corners Shopping Center in the former I Heart Mac & Cheese space. Before it opens, you can visit locations in Greensboro, High Point, Hickory, and Charlotte. (Triangle Business Journal)
Edu
The future of Ligon Middle School, once Raleigh’s all-Black high school, is up for debate. With outdated facilities and many spaces not meeting district requirements, options include renovating or rebuilding the school entirely. The school board is expected to vote in March. (ABC 11)
Development
The owner of two Glenwood South parcels filed a rezoning request for up to 20 stories of mixed-use development near La Farm. If approved, the parcels could be primed for redevelopment on the fast-rising road. (Triangle Business Journal)
Listen
PBS NC’s Shaped by Sound podcast is back for its second season with 13 NC-based musicians. Last week’s episode was with Asheville’s Wednesday, and tomorrow’s episode features Raleigh’s The Connells. Give it a listen. (Axios Raleigh)
Older Adults
Meet new Raleighite friends tomorrow, Feb. 12 with a speed friending session at the Five Points Center for Active Adults. Expect conversation starters, treats, activities, and a boatload of potential new friends.
Try This
WWE Smackdown is coming to the Lenovo Center on March 20, and in honor of Valentine’s Day, you can get a special two-for-one deal through this Saturday, Feb. 14. Send this to your tag-team partner.
Older Adults
Did you know you could be saving hundreds (and building wealth) with these easy senior discounts? From savings with Amazon Prime to discounted rates with AT&T, we found 20 hacks all older adults should know about.*
Finance
Credit card debt hit record highs in 2025. The answer? This game-changing card with 0% intro APR on balance transfers through 2027 — that’s up to 21 months interest-free. Learn more and apply.*
Fact or Fiction
Leading audiologists are calling this best-selling hearing device “nothing short of a miracle.” Fact. It’s powered by cutting-edge German engineering, making conversation effortless even in noisy places — no wonder 540,000+ customers love it. Learn about a 45-day no-risk trial.*
Real Estate
Need your property to sell fast? Feature it here, in front of our thousands of highly engaged readers. Visit our business portal to get started and see your property here in as little as two days.
Wellness
Stop guessing what your routine is doing to your body and know.Hume Body Pod shows you fat and muscle tracking in under 90 seconds, so your effort has direction — not just discipline. Shop while the site’s 35% off sale lasts, and get an extra 20% off with code GOAL20.*
Community
Community
Swipe right on local journalism
Graphic by 6AM City
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Womanizer’s pleasure-packed Valentine’s Day collection. Deepen intimacy through a shared experience with a sex toy that blends sleek design and clinically backed performance for a feel-good upgrade you’ll both be excited to unwrap.
In Monday’s pizza guide, we included the now-shuttered Chow Pizza Bar and Benchwarmers, which is on an indefinite pizza hiatus. Sorry about that! If anyone from Chow is reading, though, I have plenty of loyal fans who seem to miss you. Find your next slice with our updated pizza guide.
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