Nothing brings Minnesotans joy like seeing the first blooms of flowers popping up after a long (need I mention polar vortex), cold winter! Even though we can’t get out into our gardens to plant flowers and put out the decor until at least May, there are places we can go to enjoy the first real signs of warmer weather. And while many of us have turned to our computers to order the obligatory floral arrangements, nothing beats stepping into a local florist shop and working directly with the owner to pick out the perfect arrangement. And there is no better local florist than Big Lake Floral and its owner, Lacey Sizer! Situated in the small town of Big Lake, MN in an eclectic old building, Big Lake Floral has made a name for itself as the premier floral shop around the area.
I had the privilege to spend a morning exploring all things beautiful and speaking with owner, Lacey, about her journey from college floral shop assistant to Owner and Designer of Big Lake Floral.
Lacey began her career in flowers when she “needed a job” during college. As she stated it, “I grew up in the business when I needed a job and went to work at a floral shop.” Fast forward a few years and Lacey’s dream came true when she was able to buy out the old Big Lake Floral shop 4 years ago and move it into its new location at 460 Jefferson Blvd, Big Lake. However, even with passion like her’s, Lacey admitted that starting her own business did come with its challenges. “The first year of ownership is hard. It’s a lot of work and time, especially when I was the only employee. I had to miss a lot of time with my family which was tough.”
The hard work and time she has put in certainly shows when you step into the shop. This isn’t just your ordinarily “flower in a cooler” florist. Lacey has taken the time to truly understand current trends and knows that her customers want an experience when they come in beyond just fresh flowers. The entire shop is filled with gorgeous home decor and gifts, mostly from local artisans and vendors. Looking for local honey? She’s got it! The perfect gift for a friend? Check. And of course you can find some fun decor to hang on your own walls as well.
After 4 years of running and growing the business, I asked Lacey what the best part of her job is now. “The best part of owning this shop is definitely being my own boss. It’s still challenging and I’m still a slave to the business but I love it. My favorite things are helping brides plan their floral arrangements for the wedding and the various special events I get to be a part of.” Lacey can be found at the Twin Cities Bridal Fairs each year displaying her unique style and gorgeous floral settings. Lacey also has a little help nowadays as well with an additional 2 employees at the shop and her significant other who stops in to assess the arrangements and make personal deliveries around town!
As with all businesses, Big Lake Floral has its busy season! As many can guess, Valentine’s Day is what Lacey calls her “Super Bowl.” This year she designed and delivered over 200 arrangements on Valentines Day alone! One can only imagine how exhausting that might be but delivering flowers and receiving the smiles of excitement (and honestly, surprise from some of us) makes it all worthwhile.
Perhaps the most unique part of Big Lake Floral is that Lacey enjoys taking her talents out into the community. Last holiday season she started Boughs and Brews at local breweries. Customers were able to sign up and come in for a tasty local brew and make their own holiday wreaths with Lacey’s guidance. This was my first experience making anything so creative and while I am no floral expert, I think I made a pretty quality wreath and I certainly enjoyed the blueberry beer I was able to try out! Lacey has taken her wreath-making classes a step further and is currently offering Spring Succulent Wreath-Making classes. For anyone interested, you can book your spot on the Big Lake Floral Facebook Page. Dates available are:
- April 16th – POUR Wine Bar & Bistro in Otsego
- April 17th – Garphish Brewing in Bethel
- April 22nd – Rustech Brewing in Monticello
- April 23rd – Lupulin Brewing in Big Lake
- April 24th – Drake O’Neills in Otsego
And for all the prom goers, Big Lake Floral is offering a special package called Roses & Poses. For only $99 you receive a corsage, boutonniere and a professional photo shoot with an app for mobile images. The perfect idea for the teens looking for a classy addition to their special night.
With Spring and Summer approaching, Lacey and I talked about what the hottest trends will be for floral design in 2019. “Green and living plants are what people are looking for. We will see a lot of indoor plants since people are into air purification in their homes.” I, for one, struggle to keep my indoor plants alive but I’m not giving up! The greenery truly does add style to the inside of the house. Lacey also mentioned, “Younger people are in love with cool plants for their homes right now. Succulents and air-plants are a favorite because they are low maintenance and are super trendy.”
Big Lake Floral is truly a local treasure and easily our FAVORITE FLORIST! Do yourself a favor and stop in to check it out yourself. I promise you won’t be disappointed and don’t forget to grab an extra bouquet for a friend or family member; gorgeous flowers will brighten anyone’s day!