“The sky’s the limit” is how Stacy Mross, owner of the new McGregor-based business The Pollination Station described the variety of fresh floral arrangements she is able to provide.
Mross, originally from North Branch, currently lives in McGregor with her spouse, Manson Brown and children Lena and Henry. She initially opened The Pollination Station 12 years ago using a greenhouse in her yard to participate in local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share subscriptions, selling vegetables, fruits and fresh breads.
Mross managed Great River Gardens for the last two years it was in operation. She went on to work for Aitkin Flowers and Gifts.
“That is where I learned all the things I know from owners Tim and Gretchen Catlin,” explained Mross. “They taught me how to be a floral designer as well as a retail buyer.” Mross brought this experience to her position as manager of Riverwood Healthcare Center’s gift shop for the past six years.
Last December, Mross made the decision to take a position at the McGregor Baking Company to join and work with her good friend and bakery owner Katie Nelson. After working in Aitkin for 13 years, Mross felt it was time to be closer to home and eliminate her commute in order to spend more time with her family.
In February, Mross took over Melanie Amundson’s fresh-cut floral business. Amundson is the owner of Barefoot Gardens in McGregor and still operates her greenhouse.
“Everything worked out so well,” continued Mross. “Working at the bakery three days a week, I thought buying the flower portion of Melanie’s business could work out with my extra ‘free time’ on Mondays and Tuesdays.”
With eight years of experience in floral design, Mross provides arrangements for any and all occasions, including funerals, weddings, corsages, table arrangements, baskets and vases along with blooming and green plants. Non-specific floral orders can be purchased at Big Dollar Market in McGregor where the cooler near the checkout lanes is regularly stocked. Orders can be picked up from Mross in McGregor and deliveries are also available. Mross requests a one- to three-day notice to fill specialty orders.
Mross and her family are excited to begin commercial flower farming this summer with hopes to provide fresh flower subscription seach week. “The kids and I will be selling fresh-grown flowers and produce at the bakery this summer, too,” added Mross. “My long-term vision is to turn our farm into a ‘you pick’ farm offering eggs, honey, berries, apples, pears, fresh veggies, flowers and more, but something of this scale will take a few years to establish.”
Lena, 9, is eager to help her mom with arrangements. “We are grooming her with this business so one day she can open up her own shop and take over,” noted Mross. “Lena has always shown interest and has become a very good designer. With the years ahead for her to practice and learn, she will do amazing things when she is old enough to venture out on her own. I hope she can incorporate a gift shop in the mix of this as well.”
For more information or to place an order, contact The Pollination Station by email at thepollinationstation1@gmail.com or by phone at 651-431-8582. For updates and photos of arrangements, follow the Pollination Station on Facebook or pollinationstation1 on Instagram.
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