Traci Smith, the owner of Creative Vases.

Valentine’s Day is coming up and if you are looking to shop local for flowers, vases, plants, or balloons that would make your loved one smile, here’s a great spot.

Creative Vases is a Black-owned florist (and more) located at 52nd and Cedar that is brimming with flowers and arrangements for the holidays or other occasions like weddings, funerals, birthday parties or just to brighten someone’s day a little.

Traci Smith and her daughter Madison started the business online during the pandemic and moved into a brick-and-mortar shop on 52nd Street near Cedar Avenue last year.

“We stepped out on faith,” Smith said. “I took my love of flowers and love of decor and voilà.”

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Hakim’s Bookstore and its historical marker.

Visit Philadelphia has launched a new series celebrating generational Black-owned businesses ahead of Black History Month. A four-part video series, titled Legacy & Love, celebrates the contributions of Black-owned businesses in Philadelphia that have been passed down through generations or built as a tribute to loved ones. The series features two West Philadelphia-based businesses – Hakim’s Bookstore and Arterial Coffee.

The national theme for Black History Month, “African Americans and Labor,” is explored through the stories of four businesses that highlight the perseverance, legacy and entrepreneurial spirit within the city’s Black community. Here are more details about the West Philly-based businesses featured in the series:

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Ceramic Concept, a locally-owned shop located at 5015 Baltimore Avenue, is closing its doors at this location after four years of operation, according to an announcement by owner and curator Stefani Threet.

The shop may reopen at a new location in the fall. This Saturday, Jan. 18, everyone is invited to celebrate the store’s 4th anniversary and shop at this location for the last time. Everything in the store, which offers handmade pottery/ceramics and jewelry made by artists of color and women artists, will be 20 percent off. Plus, there will be food and wine and other items available for sale, like candles, local honey, and more.

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Here’s information on holiday hours and closings at some popular local stores and supermarkets. But first, check out SEPTA’s holiday service schedule in case you’re planning some trips around the city.

SEPTA’s Holiday Service Schedule

On Christmas Eve, Metro (Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines and trolleys), buses and Regional Rail will operate on a weekday schedule. On Christmas Day, Metro and buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Bus routes 204, 310, 311 and LUCY will not run on Christmas Day. All Regional Rail lines will run on special Christmas schedules (see more info here).

On New Year’s Eve, all metro lines and bus routes will operate on a weekday schedule. Additional trains on the Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line will operate before and after the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Penn’s Landing, with late night trains available. The New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront features two shows, one at 6 p.m. and the second at midnight, over the Delaware River.

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                           Puyero spread.

Here are some interesting developments on the West Philly restaurant scene, from new openings to updates on existing businesses.

Puyero is bringing authentic Venezuelan cuisine to the heart of University City along the iconic Sansom Row, at 3428 Sansom Street. The restaurant serves authentic Venezuelan street food. Their “comida callejera” revolves around the arepa, a round corn flour patty that is stuffed with a variety of fillings and enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Their most popular arepas are the Reina Pepiada (chicken-avocado-salad) and the Pabellón (beef, beans, sweet plantains, and white cheese). Other must-try menu items include patacones, tequeños, and a memorable tres leches for dessert. The business was founded in 2017 by three Venezuelan immigrants: brothers Gilberto and Simón Arends, and Gil’s wife, Manuela Villasmil, who runs the kitchen. The idea behind Puyero was to share Venezuelan culture and identity, but most importantly their food with the city of Philadelphia. For more details about the restaurant, go to: www.puyeroflavor.com.

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Dinner Out Catering is bringing their delicious, family-style meals to Drexel-Aramark’s Local Restaurant Row next week. (Photo courtesy of The Enterprise Center)

Local restaurant lovers take note: Two new local pop-up culinary experiences will open next week and in early December on Local Restaurant Row located near 34th and Race on the Drexel University campus.

Dinner Out Catering, which features main course entrees such as Thai Chili Glazed Salmon and Coq au Vin and “upgraded American fare,” will be on the row Nov. 18-21 from 4-8 p.m.

Smokin’ Sone’s Fresh Grill, a “boutique catering and private chef company,” will be open Dec. 9-12 during the same hours. Smokin’ Sone’s offers an extensive menu of “upscale comfort” food and is led by Chef Sonya R. Combs.

Both Dinner Out Catering and Smokin’ Sone’s honed their skills at The Enterprise Center’s Dorrance H. Hamilton Center for Culinary Enterprises (CCE), a culinary start-up culinary business incubator that includes a commercial kitchen.

Local Restaurant Row, which is located at the Northside Dining Terrace at 203 N. 34th Street St., is open to Drexel students and the public. It’s a partnership between Drexel University, Aramark, and The Enterprise Center and is aimed at giving neighborhood restaurateurs the opportunity to showcase their menus to a wider audience.