Galentine’s Day shopping event returns for 3rd year

Coal City, Diamond, Carbon Hill festivities on Feb. 11 separate from Morris’ on Feb. 13

As you make plans with your significant other to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, don’t forget the specials gals in your life. The Coal City, Carbon Hill and Diamond area will be celebrating Galentine’s Day on Feb. 11 with a shopping event so ladies and their friends can take some time to spoil one another.

The Coalers Business Alliance, a business group of the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, hosts the event annually to encourage local spending, Chamber President and CEO Christina Van Yperen said. Galentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love and friendship with your girlfriends, but, of course, all are invited to come out and enjoy the festivities.

“For the past two years, the event has brought people out for a fun activity to support our local businesses on what otherwise would be an average weeknight,” Van Yperen said. “With the impacts of COVID-19, our local businesses could use the support and are taking measures so people can shop safely.”

Each participating location will be offering its own specials, promotions and activities and will give out tickets for the chance to win prizes donated by local businesses and organizations. Shoppers are reminded that local stores also provide online shopping through websites and social media pages as an option for those who would rather not shop in person.

Participating businesses have put safety measures in place to provide a safe experience, and everyone is encouraged to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to protect themselves from COVID-19. Guidelines can be found on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.

Participating locations will give out raffle tickets to anyone wearing red or pink while shopping from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 11. Each location may provide additional tickets for purchases, activities and other promotions each business may come up with.

The raffle tickets are to be filled out and then taken to the Coal City Public Library District to put in raffle baskets for prizes provided by local businesses. Tickets can be dropped off at the library from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 11, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 12 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 14. Winners will be chosen on Feb. 17 and notified after. All prizes will have to be picked up from the library.

The Coalers Business Alliance works with local businesses to produce ideas and events to help attract people to eat, shop and spend time in the area.

The following locations are participating in Galentine’s Day:

Coal City: Coal City Bank (Pontiac branch via drive-thru only from 1 to 5 p.m.); Coal City Public Library District; Rolando’s Furniture & Appliances; Simply Lulu (will be inside the library); The Beauty Bar Salon & Spa; The QUEEN BEEs; The Vintage Emporium; Rachetti’s Café & Pizzeria; and La Tavola Italian Deli & Bakery.

Diamond: Midland States Bank (Diamond branch via drive-thru only 1 to 5 p.m.); Naked Sun; and Sunshine Garden Center

Carbon Hill: Mustachio’s Bar & Grill

For information on the Galentine’s Day event, search for the event page on Facebook or visit grundychamber.com.