Anyone can jump in their car, drive to Walmart and buy a $5 box of pre-packaged, generic chocolate candies placed in a cheesy heart-shaped box – but if you really want to impress a Valentine, give him or her chocolate from Vletas.

Vletas’ hand makes an assortment of milk, dark and white chocolate-dipped candy and fruit, and its large selection provides many options for the chocolate connoisseur.

The historic Abilene landmark located on N. 1st Street smells of the sweet chocolate before the door even opens. The smell only gets stronger and more pleasant after you walk into the old time shop. As chocolate-lovers browse the assortment of candies, including chocolate heart lollies, chocolate covered strawberries and grapes, a variety of chocolate covered nuts, flavored crèmes, toffee, coconut clusters, marshmallows, coffee beans and chocolate truffles – just to name a few.

As you travel through the shelves choosing the perfect candy, your mouth starts to water and one can hardly wait to open the bag or box of chocolate after purchasing. In fact, making it to the car without taking one bite of chocolate is a feat in itself.

For those college students who think it’s cheaper and easier to buy packaged candy from a number of chain stores in Abilene, consider that a box of 16 homemade truffles costs a mere $18, and they also offer bags and boxes of their delectable morsels for as low as $5.

If ever there’s a day to splurge on chocolate, whether for a loved one of for yourself, it’s Valentine’s Day. So, don’t waste you time on the same old box of Russell Stover’s assorted chocolate, try Candies by Vletas  – you won’t regret it.