Montezuma Floral & More has new owners, new name

      Mitchell Hicks, left, is joined by his dad, Tom Hicks, at Evelyn’s Floral at 311 E. Main St. in Montezuma. The father/son duo purchased the business on June 2 from Todd and Jennifer Schurr, who have moved to Arkansas. The Hicks will continue offering fresh flowers, plants, silk flowers, gift and home décor items and locally produced goods. Plans are in the works to give the business a fresh coat of paint and add some other personal touches.

By ​J.O. Parker

        An established Montezuma business is now under new ownership with a new name.
       The former Montezuma Floral & More at 311 E. Main St. was purchased last month by Tom Hicks and his son, Mitchell Hicks.
      The father/son duo purchased the business from Todd and Jennifer Schurr, who have since moved to Arkansas.
         The deal was finalized on June 2.
         The business is now known as Evelyn’s Floral, named after Mitchell’s daughter.
        The Hicks will continue offering fresh flowers, plants, silk flowers, gift and home décor items and locally produced goods.
        Mitchell said he and his dad are looking for people interested in selling their home-based products at the business on a trial run bases.
        They both are open to new ideas and offerings.
      The duo shares the space with Vivarium, a popular Montezuma coffee house serving coffee, espresso, lattes, smoothies, teas, lotus energy drinks, muffins and sweet treats.
        When Vivarium owner Kelsey Leigh Watts learned that the Schurr’s where looking to sell, she approached Mitchell and his dad.
       Mitchell was working as an automotive painter in Pella at the time and was looking for an opportunity to own his own business, giving him more time with his daughter.
        Mitchell said he approached his dad, a U.S. Navy Veteran who served in the Gulf War and was working for Key Coop hauling feed, about joining him in the venture.
      “How do you feel about retiring from hauling bags of feed and buying a flower shop?” Mitchell said he asked.
        The father/son duo purchased the business and the building.
        When asked, Tom said he gives a lot of credit to Jennifer for helping them get their start.
         Mitchell said plans are to give the space a fresh coat of paint and add some other personal touches.
         “We are working to make the business our own,” said Mitchell. “I love learning new things. Knowledge is power.”
          Both men are excited about the future of the business and being a part of the Montezuma community.
          “We love helping people out,” said Mitchell. “That is the beauty of making life better for others.”
         Mitchell said they will continue offering free delivery of flowers in the Montezuma area. There is also a large variety of ready-to-go fresh flowers in the store’s coolers.
          “We plan to keep the same personalized service (as Jennifer and Todd offered),” noted Mitchell.
        The business is open Tuesday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The business is closed on Sunday and Monday.
          Tom said if someone is at the business on a Monday, they will open the door for them.
       “Owning this business and working with my dad is a gift,” said Mitchell. “I’m really excited about the future.”
         The business phone number is 641-623-2984.