Blooming Acres Florist & Gifts has been serving the Mount Vernon, Iowa community since 2003. Using locally grown blooms, seasonal greens, and the highest quality accents, Blooming Acres is a florist with a personal touch.
When looking to expand their line of gift items, Blooming Acres turned to MudLOVE! We recently interviewed employee Mandy Moellering about the shop's experience as one of our retail partners.
A closer look at this cozy space!
MudLOVE: How long have you been in business?
Blooming Acres: Blooming Acres has been in business for almost 15 years. We started as a greenhouse, and then four years ago moved to focusing on cut flowers, plants, and gifts.
M: What's the story behind your shop name?
BA: Well, Becka our owner loved the theme song to the show Green Acres, but she was also selling flowers. So, she changed it to Blooming Acres! She and her family live on a beautiful cut flower farm with horses and chickens (including one named Spencer Jr. after my son!)
M: What kinds of items do you sell in your store?
BA: We carry lots of fun plants, succulents, fresh cut flowers (some of which are grown on our cut flower farm north of Mount Vernon), candles, and amazing pottery. Most of our gift items are made in house! We also carry our own line of painted signs, farmhouse decor, handmade baskets, and wreaths. 
Owner Becka Owen is brightening spirits with beautiful bouquets.
(Photo by Cliff Jette / The Gazette)
M: What is Blooming Acres' mission in the community?
BA: We love our community! They are more like our family. In a small town, florists are there for all the big celebrations -- weddings, prom, Valentine's Day -- but we are also there in times of grief and loss.
Our floral designers know which customers love sunflowers, who doesn't care for carnations, and what kinds of plants do well at the skilled nursing center. We care for our community so deeply, and we show our love in the designs we make. In their honor, we make monthly donations to local groups as part of our Community Causes Campaign.
M: How has selling MudLOVE products helped you accomplish that goal?
BA: MudLOVE is the product we carry that EVERYONE loves. We sell bracelets to the young ballerinas from the studio upstairs, the college kids from Cornell who bring such vitality and enthusiasm to our town, to the retired ladies and gentlemen who visit our building to reminisce about their days in Mount Vernon, and to the young parents seeking words of strength and comfort as they raise their families. They are simple, but powerful, and we ALL love the way in which they give back so completely.
M: What’s your favorite MudLOVE product currently being sold at Blooming Acres?
BA: That's tough! I'd have to say the "dance." bracelet. At recital time, we wrap them around the bouquets we make for the Dance Arts Iowa students. Dancers and instructors all over town are wearing those bracelets! We also really adore "breathe.", "blessed.", "grace." and "loved.". A lot of times we put them around a vase, or add them to fresh flower arrangements.
Elegant arrangements, sent with MudLOVE.
M: What’s 1 thing that everyone should know about Blooming Acres? (A fun fact, upcoming event, etc.)
BA: Blooming Acres is located in Mount Vernon's old high school, now known as The First Street Community Center. Rather than tear down the school, it was repurposed into a community center and home to several small businesses. We share the building with a bakery, quilt shop, the Uptown Theatre, a dance studio and art gallery.
Our store was the science classroom, and we still have the original built-in shelving units. In fact one of the science teachers who taught in this room helps us out with deliveries on Valentine's Day! We love when former students stop in to tell us about their time as Mount Vernon Mustangs. 
Formerly Mount Vernon High School, this historic building is now the home of various small businesses, including Blooming Acres.
The next time you find yourself in eastern Iowa, stop in to Blooming Acres at 2211st St NE, 1st floor in Mt. Vernon. Visit bloomingacresmv.com where you can browse their selection and even sign up for a workshop! For news and updates, follow along on Facebook.
