Tranquilities, the little gingerbread house of a gift shop at the corner of Spring Garden and Chapman, looks like the last place on earth a guy would want to go. But as Valentine’s Day approaches, the men of this city better rethink it.

The store, housed in what was originally a gas station, is a treasure trove for Greensboro women. Filled with jewelry, soaps and lotions, fashion accessories, and candles, Tranquilities often sends shoppers ogling over all the pretty things displayed in every square inch of the store’s two cozy rooms.

Customers love Tranquilities for carrying things that can’t be found anywhere else in the city. In turn, the shop’s inventory constantly includes new items. “That keeps the store fresh and inviting,” says Frank Henson, who owns Tranquilities with his wife, Beverly. “It’s always worthwhile to shop here.”

Come February, that’s particularly true for men.“They’ll tell us their wives love the store and ask what we’d recommend,” Beverly says. “A lot of times, their wives tell them exactly what they want.”

For those who aren’t so lucky, the Hensons ask questions about that special someone’s likes and dislikes so they can make tailored suggestions. But even for do-it-yourselfers, buying the wrong gift is almost impossible to do.

“Most of the time, when the men pick something out, the women don’t bring it back,” Beverly says.

She figures it’s because they know their sweethearts chose it for them. Maybe. But they probably love almost anything that comes from Tranquilities, too.  — Chris Gigley

Tranquilities is at 901 S. Chapman St. For information, call 336-373-8993 or go to http://www.tranquilitiesgifts.com.