By Mary O’KEEFE

For years Montrose Shopping Park merchants have sponsored a unique way of celebrating Valentine’s Day … they have “Charlie Chaplain” hand out roses. Though it may not be the real “Little Tramp” it’s a pretty close doppelgánger. 

Chaplain is a perfect fit for this event as Charlie (portrayed by Audrey Ruttan) hands roses to shoppers, offering a slight smile, a twitch of the mustache and the innocence of kindness. Roses are handed out to every passerby. 

People have several reactions when receiving this Valentine’s surprise; some are surprised and cautious but most leave with a smile on their face. 

“Have brunch or lunch at one of our sumptuous cafes, restaurants and bistros … find that perfect gift for your favorite Valentine in our unique retail shops … and when you bring your Shopping Park sales receipts totaling $50 or more to the Flower Cart that day, we’ll give you $10 in Montrose money to spend any time,” according to MSP. 

“We want our shoppers to also be our Valentines, and nothing says it better than a free long-stemmed rose,” said Dale Dawson, Montrose Shopping Park Association event coordinator.

Charlie Chaplain will be handing out the long stem roses at the corner of Ocean View Boulevard and Honolulu Avenue from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., or until supplies last, on Feb. 14. The area will be easy to spot – shoppers should look for the rose flower cart on the corner.