Montezuma Floral and More adds furniture, consignments to store offerings

       Being diverse is the key to success for any small town Main Street business and Jennifer Schuur has taken that philosophy to heart.
      Schuur, owner of Montezuma Floral and More, 309-311 Main St., a full-service florist, has added to her business offerings with the purchase of Central Iowa Sit & Sleep from Brad Maus.
       Besides offering fresh flowers, silk flowers and various arrangements for every occasion from weddings to funerals, Schuur now offers beds, recliners, dressers and headboards. Sofas and love seats are also available by order.
        In addition, Schuur has added an antique and consignment section. Clientele rent spaces in the store to sell their wares. She currently has 15 vendors offering a variety of antiques, collectables, engraved metal signs and a boutique section.
        “We had a lot of people ask about having an antique and consignment shop,” said Schuur. “We saw it as a need in the community. It’s something to attract people to town.”
Originally from Minnesota, Schuur graduated from floral design school in 1991. In the years since, she worked off and on at flower shops.
        “It was always a dream of mine to own my own shop,” she said.
      Schuur, who resides in Brooklyn with her husband, Todd, took the leap and purchased one half of the former furniture store business on the northside of the Montezuma Square, opening the floral shop on June 27, 2018.
        When asked what lead her and Todd to open the flower shop, Schuur said it added to the town offerings.
        “It gave the town a different shop to visit,” she said.
Outside of flowers, Schuur carries a variety of decorative concrete yard ornaments and giftware for all occasions, including birthdays, anniversaries, newborns and last minute pick-me-ups.
        Earlier this year, Schuur said Maus approached her about taking over the furniture store.
      “We decided to take it,” said Schuur. “He (Maus) has another store in Belle Plaine and I was helping run the business a couple days a week.”
        A deal was struck and Schuur took over the furniture business on Sept. 1.
        She offers Omaha and Therapedic brand mattresses, Best recliners and Lange brand furniture.
      Schuur said the business is a member of the Montezuma Community Boosters. Schuur is also a proud member of the Montezuma American Legion Auxiliary and offers military gifts in the store.
       “We are a veteran family,” she said. “My dad, my husband and my son, Tyler, all served as did my nephew, five uncles and cousins.”
      The business offers FTD and Teleflora services and can send and receive flowers from all over the world. Local delivery is available. A flower registry is also available.
       “You can come in and register your favorite flowers,” she said.
       Schuur added that her parents, Jim and Bonnie Mills, help keep the business running. Her husband, Todd, is also a big help. “He’s my gopher,” she said.
         “We are trying to promote and keep small town Main Street America alive,” added Todd.
         The business hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The business has a Facebook page and is on the Internet at www.montezumafloral.com. The phone number is 641-623-2984.