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Friday, March 29, 2024

Stephen Zedros puts together a bouquet at Brattle Square Florist. (Photo: Brattle Square Florist)

Not long ago, Brattle Square Florist was set to close after more than a century in business specifically to avoid Valentine’s Day – a flower shop’s busiest time. “I do not believe that we can meet the demands,” said Randy Ricker, the owner in December.

Back under ownership of the family who founded the Harvard Square shop, though, Brattle Square Florist is embracing Monday’s Valentine’s Day celebrations with specials, starting with a dozen medium-stem roses ranging from $35 to $45, or a dozen long-stem red roses for $60.

“There are worries about stock and low inventory, but Brattle Square Florist have not only focused on roses but varying florals so as to meet the demands of the consumers as well as keeping costs as approachable as possible,” said Edwina A. Kluender, a spokesperson for the store.

After Ricker said Dec. 27 that the pandemic, economic conditions and physical drain of running the 31 Brattle St. store were forcing him to close Jan. 31, Stephen Zedros – longtime manager at the shop and grandchild of the founders – decided to step up and take the shop back. In March, he plans to relocate it to 52 Brattle St., just steps away.

In the meantime, with Valentine’s Day coming up fast, Zedros said he is managing to offer not just roses, but 10 stem Dutch tulip bunches for $15 and mixed bouquets from $15 to $40. Single roses will be $5 each, and hundreds of other floral varieties can be picked by the stem or bunch as well, he said. Delivery will be available throughout Cambridge.

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Elsewhere in the square

Brattle Square Florist isn’t the only shop eager to get in on a love-fest, of course.

“Harvard Square has thoughtful and sweet Valentine’s Day choices for all of those who hold a special place in your heart,” said Denise Jillson, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association. She pointed visitors to some 30 local businesses tossing their heart in the ring. Some of the highlights on Monday:

The Brattle Theater screens “The Philadelphia Story” (4 and 6:30 p.m.) starring Cary Grant, James Stewart and Katharine Hepburn in a 1940 screwball comedy taking place around a society wedding; and “The Princess Bride” (9:30 p.m.) the 1987 comedy from Rob Reiner that has a lot to say about love, true love – no matter how it’s pronounced. A Covid vaccination or negative test is required for entry.

Club Passim welcomes daters or anti-daters into its regular 8 p.m. Discovery Series of new artists for $10 per person. Proof of vaccination required.

The Harvard Coop has a free book lovers scavenger hunt planned for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. that promised as fun and “stress-free,” with raffle prizes, local gift cards, beverages and take-home treats as well as 14 percent off purchases.

The Bonde Wine Shop holds a 7 to 8 p.m. wine tasting for those dressed to impress. The $75 event includes a flight of four wines and hors d’oeuvres paired with the evening’s theme.

Off the Beaten Path Food Tours has a $40 chocolate walking tour from 6:30 to 8 p.m. that teaches while you taste. (There’s 10 percent off with the code “harvardsquare.”)

The square’s restaurants are also happy to accommodate some romance, ranging from Grendel’s Den Restaurant & Bar bringing back its cheese fondue (entertainment Monday is from the Goodrich Family Band) to Smoke Shop BBQ offering a special $125 dinner and whiskey class with WhistlePig’s Chris Conroy that’s open to just four couples. If the traditional gift options don’t thrill you, the Alden & Harlow restaurant has an A&H Sweet Box of assorted cookies and confections for $17 … and its Longfellow Bar has suggestive cocktails such as the Cupid Floats ($15) that leads with Singani, a Bolivian brandy, or the It’s Not You, It’s Me ($14) that ladles in Privateer Country Roads rum over an absinthe rinse.