Andrew and Lisa Kingsley have always had a love of gardening, and now they’ve turned that love into a career.
The Kingsleys had been considering the possibility of buying the Harmony Greenhouse from Paula MacKenberg for some time now, but when she announced that she had found a home in Montana and would be moving there, they knew it was time to move forward with the purchase.
“The business had been for sale for a long time. We just thought it would suit both of our interests,” Lisa remarked. The couple have always had a large garden at their hobby farm outside of Harmony, and Lisa enjoys crafts, a hobby that fits in perfectly with owning a floral and gift shop.
In preparation for their new business venture, Lisa took a class at the Koehler and Dramm Institute of Floristry.
In August, their dream became a reality as the Kingsleys purchased the business, including its inventory, from Paula.
“Paula has been very helpful,” said Andrew. “She helped us get set up.” Andrew and Lisa went on to explain how she still stays in contact with them to offer guidance, even though she’s now living in Montana.
The Kingsley’s four children help out at the new family business as well. Six-year-old twins Charity and Grace and 5-year- old Liberty get off the bus at the greenhouse after school, and 2-year-old Charlie either hangs out at the greenhouse with Lisa or with his grandmother during the day.
“Charlie likes to help me process the flowers when they come in,” Lisa laughed. “He pulls the leaves off the stems for me.” The three girls are involved too and enjoy helping wherever they’re needed.
The kids have their own space in the loft above the store where they can play or read while their parents are working.
For the time being, Andrew is still working full-time at Kingsley Mercantile, which is owned by his family, but plans to eventually move to working full-time at Harmony Gardens and Floral. His brother will then take over Andrew’s position at Kingsley Mercantile. Andrew usually spends some time at the greenhouse before going to work at the hardware store and is always there after work as well.
For now, Lisa staffs Harmony Gardens and Floral from 9-5 during the week and from 9-12 on Saturdays.
The Kingsleys are still working on building inventory and making some changes to the building, but will be offering gift items and seasonal decorations in their gift shop as well as Hallmark cards, balloons, bereavement items, chocolates, gift wrap, and more. The greenhouse side of the business will stock seed packets, starter plants, and other gardening items.
“Our ultimate goal is to have year-round produce,” Andrew noted. The Kingsleys have a hobby farm with large gardens and greenhouses and plan to grow more produce in town at the business as well.
Seasonal produce isn’t hard to come by, but Andrew and Lisa want to do more than that. Thanks to their greenhouses, they will be able to grow out-of-season and extended season fruits and vegetables for their customers.
They already have around 1,200 raspberry plants growing at their farm that will produce berries to sell next spring.
Some local residents were concerned that the cemetery urn service that Paula offered wouldn’t be continued, but Andrew and Lisa plan to keep it going.
Harmony has proved to be a great place for the Kingsleys to start their business. “The community has been very encouraging and supportive,” Andrew noted. “We look forward to serving them for a long time to come.”
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