Jan's Floral stays open under new ownership in Malta

Upon moving back to Montana, Maria Sugg gave herself a one-year timeline to make things happen or leave the Treasure State and return to Utah.

Sugg, who was born and raised in Glasgow, returned to her hometown about a year ago and started a home-based floral shop. Now, nearly a year later, Sugg is in the process of purchasing Jan's Floral in Malta and she couldn't be happier.

"I gave myself a year to make something happen and then this opportunity presented itself," she said. "It is great here. People have welcomed me and have been very nice."

Upon returning to Glasgow, Sugg started a home-based floral business and as she added clientele, she added mobility to her shop.

"I bought a camper, painted it hot pink and converted the inside into a mobile flower stand," said Sugg. "I have just been talking baby steps and now I am here."

The name of her floral shop is the Vintage Rose and as soon as the sale of Jan's is final, she will give the Malta shop the same moniker.

Sugg has made some changes to the inventory at Jan's Floral. She has added formal wear for proms and weddings.

"I thought (bringing formal wear) here was a great idea because it doesn't seem like there is much of it in Phillips County," she said. "Hopefully, this will allow people to shop locally and not have to drive all the way to Billings or Great Falls. I think it will be very convenient for everyone."

Sugg has also brought Montana made giftware into the shop including knitted scarves by Mary Honrud, Gwen Hawking's handmade necklaces and keychains, Megan Pankratz' barn wood signs, Kimberly Klatt's burlap signs and Saco's Shabby Cache (Billie Ozark) works of art.

"She makes really nice items," Sugg said. "She gets parts of old buildings or barns and turns them into works of art. She will be bringing things down for Valentine's Day."

Sugg said that she knows how hard it is for people just starting out in their own business ventures to get the ball rolling and she hopes that by bringing in these folk's items for sale that she can help them on the road toward success.

"I just wanted to try and help other area entrepreneurs out as well," she said. "I really want to try and get the wedding and formal attire going here in Phillips County."

Sugg has been open at Jan's Floral for the last month and said that things are going well.

"I've gotten a really warm welcome and everybody has jumped aboard and is excited about the shop being open," she said. "The shop has so much space and is just wonderful."

Currently, the floral shop is only open three days a week – Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. (though Saturday's vary and hours will most likely change as time goes by) – as Sugg commutes back and forth between Glasgow and Malta (as well as back and forth from her other fulltime job at Shopko.) She said she plans to convert part of the floral shop into an apartment so that she can completely relocate to Malta and work in her shop fulltime.

"That is what I am reaching for," Sugg said, "and I am really excited about this all."

Sugg said that the greenhouse that is part of Jan's Floral is included with the purchase of the shop, but she added that she has her hands full with the Floral Shop and isn't interested in running the greenhouse...though she added that, as far as she knows, it will still be rented out to someone to run in the spring.