PEABODY — With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, several local businesses are teaming up to offer shoppers the opportunity to find the perfect gift for their sweethearts.
On Saturday, Feb. 6, Peabody’s Black Box Theater, along with spotlight sponsors Flow Yoga Studio, Wine Shop at Home/ Eleanor the Wine Lady, and Breaking Grounds Cafe, along with sponsors Salem Five Bank and the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) will hold the “Handmade with Love Pop-up Marketplace” at the Black Box Theater at 22 Foster St. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event features local artisans and craftsmen who will offer a wide variety of handmade gifts for sale, including spa baskets, chocolates, fudge and baked items, candles, scarves, wine, jewelry, craft kits and much more.
“This is similar to the markets we hosted during the holidays and the community really loved it as this is not your average, run-of-the-mill craft fair,” said Black Box Events Coordinator Lisa Geczi. “We have high-quality vendors and the theater will be all lit up in pink for Valentine’s Day. We know that so many people are so bored now. We want to give them a whole different experience.”
Among the local businesses who have committed to participate are Create and Escape, Craftables and More, Rockport Fudgery, E the Wine Lady, Scents for Cents, One Crafty Motha, Bella & Harvey, The Salty Sea Gypsy and Flow Yoga.
Create and Escape Owner Wendy Lattof said her company motto is “we make your Pinterest dreams come true.”
The company offers things like craft kits, paint nights, ceramics, sea glass art projects, hand-knit, blankets and personalized household items, such as cutting boards and signs, along with other wood-based items as well as small functions for 10 or fewer people.
The company is sponsoring two Valentine’s Day charcuterie board classes at the Black Box on February 13 — the first for individuals at 3 p.m. and a second for couples at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s a great night out as we vote on the best and have a cute little prize, then they sit back, relax and just eat, enjoy their own boards, so it’s a fun night,” said Lattof.
On Valentine’s Day, Create and Escape will offer Paint, Sip and Brunch at 11:30 a.m., with a second session at 2 p.m.
“Before COVID, we used to have more mobile events and creative classes and events at our studio on Main Street so people could walk in and create, but all that has changed for now,” said Lattof. “We are doing a lot of kits-to-go and just do lots of really creative things for kids and adults including a wood-sign event, but our main mission hasn’t changed, and that’s to help people relax and create.”
The first 50 guests will receive a complimentary goodie bag filled with gifts. The bag sponsor is Salem Five Bank.
A highlight of the day promises to be a super-sized raffle valued at more than $1,000. Raffle tickets will be available during shopping hours. Some of the items included in the package are a one-year subscription to Flow Yoga’s online platform; a private movie night for 10 at the Black Box; Breaking Grounds products; a wine collection from the Wine Shop at Home, sweets from The Rockport Fudgery, and candy and goodies from PACC.
Peabody’s Black Box strictly adheres to all COVID-19 health and safety protocols. All vendors and shoppers must wear face masks, and practice social distancing, contactless shopping and payments whenever possible. A limit of 10 shoppers will be allowed in the theater at one time. Vendor booths will be located in socially-distanced locations. All shoppers must observe all directional arrows and signs.
Also at the Black Box in February are the Ultimate Date Night with Chef Danny Garcia of Eva’s Pastries and Rumson’s Rum on Feb. 12. The event features an interactive cooking demonstration, a three-course dinner, with dessert, rum-tasting and craft cocktails.
For further information, visit the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.peabody.chamber.com and click on the events page, or call the chamber at (978) 531-0384.
