Hamden businesses have made it a top priority to adapt to make sure residents feel the love this Valentine’s day weekend.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and capacity limits for restaurants, some students and Hamden residents may opt for takeout from their favorite local spots.
Ristorante Luce manager Edwin Picado, 40, said that his restaurant will offer a take-out special for people choosing to stay in to celebrate the holiday. The restaurant located at 2987 Whitney Ave. will be open for indoor dining, as well.
“We will be seating at 50% capacity and following regular guidelines but it will be tough because we want to accommodate everyone,” Picado said. “We’ve already booked three full seatings.”
Other local restaurants like Wood-n-Tap at 2100 Dixwell Ave. are preparing for the weekend ahead.
“We expect to be packed with orders all week,” said Jessica Cohen, a hostess at Wood-n-Tap, adding orders will be available for contactless delivery and curbside pickup in accordance with COVID-19 restaurant guidelines.
Hamden residents may also be heading to the movies.
Due to popular demand from Hamden residents, Cinemark North Haven on Universal Drive will host private watch parties for movie fans.
Cinemark employee Kevin Morron, 26, said the theater will offer special deals on Cinemark’s app, as well as showings of the 1980s hit movie, “Pretty in Pink.”
In the meantime, students that will stay on campus to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 will have access to activities sponsored by Quinnipiac’s Student Programming Board (SPB). For instance, the board will hold a “Pal-entine’s Day” event on Saturday, Feb. 13 when students will be able to paint pictures for their friends on wooden frames provided by SPB.
“These events are meant to provide a space for students to have fun together safely on campus,” said SPB President Tyler McNeil.
With concerns of COVID-19 burdening the Valentine’s Day weekend, students like senior human resources management major Juliana Patrizio don’t know what they will do on Sunday.
“I never know what my boyfriend’s going to do,” Patriozo, 22, said. “But, with COVID, whatever we can do that’s safe, I’ll be happy.”
Whitney Donut & Sandwich Shop manager Lauren Nicholas said her bakery staff is making heart-shaped doughnuts that will be available until the end of February. Whitney Donut is located at 2574 Whitney Ave.
J Roo’s at 243 State St. in North Haven is offering red velvet cake, heart-shaped pizza and several dinner specials Sunday evening. In addition, every customer gets a free chocolate-covered strawberry.
For other Valentine’s Day specials from Hamden eateries such as Eli’s, Bread and Chocolate, Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies and Mikro, see the graphic above.
MirYam Judd, Alyssa Naumann and Andrew White contributed to this report.