CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The State of Illinois is hoping to give tourism and some small businesses a boost during the pandemic with a unique promotion tied to Valentine's Day.
The Illinois Office of Tourism is highlighting 11 locally owned bakeries and candy shops around the state which have struggled financially during the pandemic. Each of these small businesses chosen are part of the Illinois Office of Tourism's Illinois Made program that celebrates authentic products and experiences and the local artisans who make Illinois such a unique destination to visit.
"This is another way to showcase all of these hardworking, small business owners, working day in and day out, who we know have been hit very, very hard in the past year," said Marla Cichowski, with the Illinois Office of Tourism.
She said the promotion is a way to encourage people to buy Valentine treats from the shops and give them a financial boost.
"What a better time than Valentine's Day to really support one of these local bakeries, a confectionary, a chocolate shop, so many delicious places that you could put your support behind," Cichowski said.
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While people can visit any of the featured shops, they can also order products online in time for Valentine's Day and get home delivery.
The list includes:
• Hewn Bakery, Evanston
• Brown Sugar Bakery, Chicago
• Ethereal Confections, Woodstock
• Village Bakery, Oregon
• All Chocolate Kitchen, Geneva
• Hollingworth Candies, Lockport
• Flesor's Candy Kitchen, Tuscola
• Incredibly Delicious, Springfield
• Underbrinks Bakery, Quincy
• The Chocolate Affair, Highland
• Chocolate Factory, Inc., Golconda
You can find more about the shops on the Illinois Office of Tourism website, enjoyillinois.com.