Raspberry truffle.  Chocolate covered strawberry.  Black forest cherry.  If flavors like these make your heart race, be sure to start Saturday, February 11 at the Kalona Coffeehouse, where Valentine specialty drinks will be on the menu. 

That’s just the beginning of the treats in store at “Love Kalona,” a one-day event organized by the Kalona Area Chamber of Commerce.  

Special activities include a photo booth at Best of Iowa to help you capture memories with those dear to your heart, and free carriage rides late in the afternoon outside of Tuscan Moon, the perfect bridge between a day of shopping and a special valentine dinner.

New for 2023, the idea for “Love Kalona” came about when chamber director Tonia Poole learned that February is often the slowest month of the year for restaurant and retail sales.  Wanting to give local businesses a boost, she put together a special day of fun to enjoy the weekend before Valentine’s Day.

Many Kalona businesses are participating in the event.  Kalona Chocolates will have chocolate covered strawberries, mini heart cakes, and sweet gifts for kids filling their cases.  Fresh! Award Winning Floral Design will have unique floral designs, plants, and gifts ready to purchase.  

Several shops will offer impressive discounts on “Love Kalona” Saturday, including 20% off all Jim Shore at Woodin Wheel Antiques and 25% storewide at The Shop.  Stitch N Sew Cottage will offer a free fat quarter, and JK Creative Wood will provide 20% off wood jewelry.

Be sure to pick up a flyer at the Kalona Chamber before shopping to preview the entire list of special offers.  When you visit the shops on the flyer, you’ll have an opportunity to enter to win a gift basket.  No purchase is necessary, and the winner will be contacted on Feb. 13 and announced on social media on Feb. 14.

“We’ve got a great basket full of goodies that some lucky winner is going to get,” Poole said.

When your appetite demands appeasement, Tuscan Moon will be open for lunch and dinner, as will Kalona Brewing Company, which also offers a four-course pairing dinner at 6 p.m.  HIM Hearth-N-Home will have a Homecooked Valentine Dinner ready also at 6 p.m.

To extend your enjoyment beyond Saturday, consider a Valentine Getaway at Ethel’s Bed & Breakfast.

“Love Kalona” is sure to warm hearts during what is often our coldest month of the year.  For more information, visit or call the Kalona Chamber at 319-656-2660.