Just a few years ago, a new cafe settled into 261 South Street. Its name was Wild Valentine, and the plethora of flowers and a creative menu naturally drew people in.
Whether you need flowers for Mother’s Day, a freshly brewed cup of coffee before class, or a delicious oat bowl, Wild Valentine has got you covered. Or more specifically, she’s got you covered.
Sarah DiCecca is the owner and visionary behind this hot spot, and her passion for the business shines throughout.
“I knew I wanted to own my own business for pretty much as long as I can remember,” said DiCecca, smiling brightly.
With a strong history in marketing, plus a lot of grit, time, and phone calls, she put her dream into action in 2020.
“There’s so many things I have to do to get from step A to step Z, but then once I really broke it down and I just took it one step at a time- it just made the whole process that much easier,” she said when talking about grappling all the aspects of owning a business.
And while the journey to get from having the dream to making it a reality was difficult, the idea of not pursuing this undertaking was even harder.
“It’s all just been about learning as I go and looking to mentors to guide me,” DiCecca said.
“It’s a very welcoming place,” said Sara Gardy, a cafe team member at Wild Valentine.
DiCecca noted that she wanted to create a space that would bring the community joy over a cup of delicious La Mulita coffee and a bouquet to match.
While working at Wild Valentine, Gardy has learned how to step out of her comfort zone and interact with many different people, which quickly became her favorite part about going to work.
Her advice to anyone looking to work here is to have a good attitude and put your best foot forward. The Wild Valentine employs anyone from the age of 15 and is always looking for a new face.
“I really love the overall aesthetic of the cafe. It’s very cute on the inside and it’s very peaceful and quiet,” said Sierra Mikolaities, a junior at Portsmouth High School.
When asked what stood out to her about Wild Valentine, Sierra said that the color scheme is very pretty and the interior is calming. This makes it a perfect spot for anyone looking for a place to study. And if you need fuel for a long study session, her go-to on the menu is the gluten-free raspberry bars; a fan favorite since they opened.
The Wild Valentine’s influence on Portsmouth is far from over. DiCecca is optimistic for the future of Wild Valentine, and rightfully so. Her unique take on what a cafe should be has resonated with many residents in the Seacoast. Because of this, Wild Valentine is the perfect addition to this lively city.
