Sustainable Connections is proud to announce The Sweet Sixteen, a specially curated list of sixteen sweet treats from locally-owned Whatcom County businesses.
From tried-and-true favorite desserts like tiramisu from D’Anna’s Café Italiano to unique items such as Marie’s Bees’ Creamed Raw Honey + Hot Spices, the list highlights the variety of flavors Whatcom County restaurants and businesses have to offer. The list also celebrates unique ethnic desserts such as Simmering Tava’s Gajar Halwa, Calypso Kitchen’s Guava Jam Thumbprint Cookies, and Polish donuts (paczki) from Magdalena’s Bistro & Creperie.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, Sustainable Connections developed the list as an easy way for the community to support local businesses while also treating their friends and loved ones. Due to many COVID-19 restrictions, businesses are struggling and could use extra support. Treats listed on the Sweet Sixteen can be purchased for take-out, delivery, outdoor dining, or some businesses, such as the Black Cat, are open for indoor dining using new open-air guidelines, too.
All of the treats on the Sweet Sixteen list are available to be purchased using the Whatcom Think Local First Gift Card. Recently released in November 2020, The Whatcom Think Local First Give Card is a community-based digital gift card that makes it easy to keep money circulating in our local economy. Purchasers can write a personal message to send along with the gift card to friends and loved ones via email, text, or even print out a physical copy and mail it with a Valentine’s Day card.
The gift cards can be used at over 230 locally-owned Whatcom County businesses, including those featured on the Sweet Sixteen list. Currently, any fees associated with purchasing the gift cards are covered by the Whatcom Community Foundation. Whatcom Think Local Gift Cards will be given away on the organization’s Facebook and Instagram accounts on Valentine’s Day.