Downtown Bellingham is a lively place all year round. And for Valentine's Day, it's your one-stop shop for everything you need to make your sweetheart smile. Handmade chocolates, flowers, cards and romantic gifts can all be picked up within a few blocks. So park your car or bike and hit the sidewalk for some fun—and delicious—Valentine's shopping.
We're lucky to have three chocolate makers in Bellingham, so you can choose your favorite from among their distinct styles, or fill your own sampler box with something from all three.
Evolve Chocolate Truffles is owned by Christy and Shannon Fox, who believe in using local and regional ingredients in their delicious handmade truffles, and in making the community part of everything they do. Take a bite of a beautiful truffle, and you may be tasting goat milk, strawberries, violets, beer, liquor, coffee or nuts sourced from local suppliers. [caption id="attachment_36425" align="aligncenter" width="550"]
Cajeta and Chia Chia Bang Bang truffles on the top left are in this year's Valentine's Day pack. Two of each is $12.[/caption] Their truffles are available at the Community Co-op, the Bellingham Farmers Market, Terra Organic Grocery and Whole Foods in Bellingham, or order them online and pick them up at their Bellingham kitchen. 3125 Mercer Ave., Suite 101. Check Evolve's website and Facebook page for more info. [caption id="attachment_36423" align="aligncenter" width="550"]
Top right, Valentine's truffles ready to give. Bottom left, the clever packaging for Evolve's beer-infused truffles, made with beer from local breweries.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_36424" align="aligncenter" width="550"]
Enjoy distinctive truffles, as well as raspberry rose petal bark made with 85% organic cacao.[/caption] Evolve Chocolate Truffles on Facebook
Chocolate Necessities is where chocolate truffles and candy, a drinking chocolate bar and homemade gelato all combine for the sweetest possible assortment of Valentine's goodies. For 25 years, owner and chocolatier Kevin Buck has been handcrafting truffles and solid chocolates using the finest ingredients, and selling them at the factory on the Guide Meridian, as well as his shop downtown on Cornwall Ave. 
You'll find creative flavor combinations like amaretto, exotic vanilla, mandarin orange and balsamic caramel, plus chocolate-covered Amarena cherries. Enjoy a glass of local wine or beer paired with fine chocolate, or try the drinking chocolate, made on site. Choose from Mexican, Italian or Deluxe Hot Cocoa, or bittersweet, dark or milk chocolate combinations. The shop is open late for special date nights, too! [caption id="attachment_36445" align="aligncenter" width="550"]
Lots of solid chocolate hearts, too.[/caption] If your Valentine loves ice cream and gelato, you'll make them happy by delivering a carton of Chocolate Necessities homemade gelato. Made right in the downtown store, it doesn't get any fresher or more delicious than this! Get one pound for $10.50, 1.5 pounds for $15.00 or two pounds for $20.00. Flavors like Salted Caramel, Coconut, Bananas Foster, Hazelnut, Dark Chocolate and Roasted Almond are sure to please. Yum. 
Chocolate Necessities & Gelato, 1426 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225 360-733-6666Chocolate Necessities on Facebook Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m, Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
For nearly 20 years, candyman Jerry Hruska and his artist wife Vivian Mazzola have served up the one-of-a-kind combination of chocolate and art in their little shop on Railroad Ave. in Bellingham. [caption id="attachment_36451" align="aligncenter" width="550"]
Bleeding hearts, strawberry hearts, sunflowers and salty dogs.[/caption] Her brightly-colored paintings of flowers, birds, dogs, fairies and cats cover the walls, while the display cases are filled with chocolates of all kinds. 
Jerry also sells his homemade candies at the Bellingham Farmers Market April through October. [caption id="attachment_36448" align="aligncenter" width="550"]
Yummy coconut cream pie, root beer float, tiramisu and king dome truffles.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_36449" align="aligncenter" width="550"]
Key lime pie and raspberry baby truffles, monkey paws and Bee Mine chocolate-dipped Oreos. Serious goodness.[/caption] 
Sweet Art, 1335 Railroad Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225Sweet Art on FacebookTuesday - Friday, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday 12:00 - 4:00 Also open Valentine's Day, Sunday February 14
Once you've sorted out the sweet part of the holiday, take care of the rest of your Valentine's Day shopping needs at these specialty shops in Downtown Bellingham: Cresswell Boggs is where you'll find the just-perfect card for your sweetie, as well as anyone else in your life who deserves a little love. Add in gifts that range from seriously romantic to fun and quirky, and you'll be set. 1300 Railroad Ave. For a handmade, letter-pressed look, check out the card selection at Spruce Stationery and Design, at 1422 Cornwall Ave. 
Whether it's your first or fiftieth Valentine's together, you can find an appropriate gift at Mod Sock. Funny, flirty or sweet, the selection will—I'm going to say it—knock your socks off. But don't worry, you can buy another pair while you're there! 
Flowers are always, always, always appropriate. Find the perfect posies at Bella Flora, 1201 N. State St., or A New Leaf Floral Shoppe, 1327 Cornwall Ave. Order ahead of time or stop in early to make sure you don't miss the boat on a bouquet.
