With spring plantings around the corner, a trip to the Rustic Rose — formerly Spring Valley Greenhouse — is in order. This business is run by the family of Mitchell and Carolee Shultz. They have four children: Courtney, Brittney (Dalyn), Hunter, and Megan, whose ages run from 16-24, and a grandchild, Saskia Raine. Mitch comments, “Carolee is originally from Canada and I grew up in Mississippi. We met when I attended a two-week Bible study course at her home town. We moved to the Lime Springs, Iowa, area about 10 years ago, as we fell in love with the area and also took the opportunity to work as a nurse at Mayo Clinic.”
This Mennonite family is often mistaken for being Amish and do share the idea that they are called to daily live their Christian beliefs. However, as Mennonites, they embrace most common conveniences while choosing to maintain a more simple style of living, focusing on stewardship and the needs of those around them. “Family and church are important to us,” remarks Carolee. “At the Rustic Rose we are enjoying working together as a family.”
Stopping in at the Rustic Rose, you will be greeted by Carolee or Megan and eventually Courtney when she returns from Africa where she has been doing mission work. Mitchell, Hunter, and Courtney will be mainly working in the greenhouse, yet when needed will be available to help in the floral shop, too. “Carolee and I have always enjoyed working with plants and flowers,” says Mitchell. “Entering the floral/gardening business seems to be a way to expand that interest. As we talked about investing in this business and what we should call it, the name Rustic Rose came to Carolee.”
The Shultz family is interested in promoting aspects of “service, customer satisfaction, and quality” as business owners in Fillmore County. “We have made some minor changes in the greenhouse. Mainly repainting the showroom, updating the shelving in the work area in the floral shop, remodeling the back wall of the greenhouse and storage area,” remarks Mitchell.
So many people stepped forward to lend a helping hand as this venture began. “We’d like to thank Jacob Gehling (manager of the Spring Valley Greenhouse) for helping us as we learned the finer aspects of the business,” says Mitchell, “and the people of Spring Valley and surrounding area for accepting and welcoming us to the community.”
Carolee adds, “We love to help people and working with plants offering a variety of standard as well as original designs for people to consider. It is important to us that our customers are pleased when they leave our floral shop and greenhouse.”
Readers can look for news coming on the lawn care and landscaping services, which will be offered in the spring. Also, be sure to stop by the fresh produce stand, which is opening in June.
To find more information or to contact Rustic Rose, call (507) 346-7440, email admin@rusticrose-mn.com, or visit their website www.rusticrose-mn.com.
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