Sparks Valentine's Gift Guide

From gifts to experiences to food - find what you're looking for on Sparks!

Valentine’s Day is less than a week away! Whether you’re celebrating Galentine’s, Valentine’s, if it’s with people you love, that one special person, or if you’re looking to show small businesses love, we are here for it! #We❤️Love!

The last two years have been very hard on our small business community, and even more so this February for Sparks Street with the ongoing demonstration in our neighbourhood.

We can all use a little extra love this time of year and Gift Cards are an excellent option if you are unable to enjoy our lovely street (we completely understand -- safety first) in time for the big love day.

With fingers crossed and hearts all aflutter we look forward to seeing our neighbour's beautiful smiling faces on Sparks!

We’ve put together a Valentine's Gift Guide packed with ideas for enjoying the day IRL or virtual!

Gifts

Morgante Menswear, True Bijoux, Canada's Four Corners

Looking for that unique gift that brightens your favourite person’s day? From Canadiana to Indigenous art, Canada’s Four Corners and The Snow Goose carry a variety of home décor, specialty gifts, handbags, clothing items, and so much more you won’t find elsewhere, including handmade one-of-a-kind finds.

Jewellery Plus II and The Watch Store are great not-so-hidden gift spots! Sparks is known as the place to go for jewelry in the downtown core - need to find the right gems or even engagement rings? We got you! Renowned for special occasions and finding unique pieces, or create your own (one-on-one!) with Dixon Jewellers, True Bijoux, Howard Fine Jewellers, and Alyea Jewellers.

(Fun fact: if you purchase the $20 foaming jewellery cleaner from True Bijoux or Howard’s before the end of February, all proceeds will go to Cornerstone Housing for Women as part of their Sister’s Helping Sister’s Galentine’s campaign! )

Looking for something like ties, shirts, or cuff links? Show them off on your zoom calls (lift that coffee, flash that style!) We have two of Ottawa’s best tailor and suit boutiques. Morgante Menswear and Bello Uomo have been in the business long enough to know exactly how to sharpen a look with all the right details. A2 Pret-A-Porter has everything from women’s power suits (yes! these are still very much a thing!) to flowy, beautiful, patterned or structured confections you won’t find anywhere else.

Experiences

Marriott Hotel

Looking for something a little more Get Out and Do? Retro-Rides has all the bells and whistles (literally!) you could want or need to complete your cycle gear set up. A membership to Sparks St Fitness studio is another gift idea option for the athletically inclined person (aka Do-er) in your life! Make it a double and you can workout together.

You could also show your long-term-forward-thinking commitment by picking up package deals from Escape Bicycle Tours to enjoy in the warmer months together! Check this out with your "BOO!" (see what we did there): The Haunted Walk is running virtual ghost tours that are sure to get you cuddled up in no time! Or BOOk for a later date!

Really invest and take a mini staycation at either the Marriott Hotel or reStays! reStays has a special Lover’s Retreat package perfect for the occasion. Did you know Yuk Yuk’s comedy club now operates out of the Marriott? Catch a show, have some drinks, and journey back to your room only a few floors away with their Eat, Laugh & Stay package!

Services

J3Beauté

Looking to pamper? Everyone loves a little TLC (whether they’ll admit to it or not!) Sparks Street is home to a variety of salons that offer spa-like experiences that’ll have you leaving a much more revitalized version of yourself. 100% ! Also, have we forgotten to TREAT YO'SELF? Award winning nails & Esthetics By Lucie , Society Salon & Blow Dry Bar is a favourite of many big names in the city, Salon La Mode has incredibly experienced stylists on staff and J3Beaté offers totally unique services you won’t find elsewhere on Sparks. Have you discovered secret-go-to-gem- Victoria Barber Shop ?They've been serving Ottawa since 1924!

Dining

Rabbit Hole

FOOD. We know it, and you know it -----the fastest way to a person’s heart -through the stomach! From sweet treats to cocktail and candlelit meals, dining is something Sparks does best. Le Moulin de Provence KD creates handmade delicacies onsite daily, including their heart-shaped sugar cookies! Creperie Rim is another fun spot where Nutella, fruits and powdered sugar will win you over & Little Victories or Bridgehead’s coffee beans are sure to please the coffee lovers out there. As for sit down meals, we’ve got a whole list of spots to make reservations - from high end romance to comfortable intimate fare:

- D’Arcy McGee’s - Riviera - Nate’s - Bier Markt - The Office Resto Pub - Rabbit Hole - Brixton’s British Pub - 3 Brewers Sparks - Spin Kitchen & Bar

Supporting our small businesses are sure to have our owners and operators doing their own happy dances as well! We need a lot of that right now! However you choose to celebrate, we hope you do so safely and that we can all stroll from business to restaurant, to service shop together again very soon.

*Please check with each business in advance to find out if they are open or their purchasing alternatives at this time.

With everything going on right now in downtown Ottawa, it's understandable if you're not feeling OK.

Special thanks & credit to @Ottawanewbie for the image.

♡ Sending Love ♡