River City Flower Market to close

After 40 years in the flower business and 20 years owning her own shop on Red Wing’s Main Street, the proprietor of River City Flower Market is stepping aside.

Kaye Gregory has sold her business and property at 319 Main St. to Tom Quanrud and Brian Schneider, owners of Inspired Home & Flower Studio on 415 W. Third St. They made an offer and she said the timing just felt right.

“I’m at that time in my life where I need to make that life change,” Gregory said.

Schneider said Third Street has been good to them but they were looking for a building where they could live above their business.

A tenant is lined up to step into Inspired’s Third Street building, Schneider said, and they’ll announce the move in the coming weeks.

Gregory said the she’s going to keep the flower market open through this month.

Schneider said he and Quanrud plan to open Inspired at its new location after Holiday Stroll, which is Thanksgiving weekend.

A longtime manager of the flower market, Gregory bought the business and building in July 1989.

“At that time it was just time for me to own, not just run, my own shop,” she said.

Two decades later, Gregory is excited about moving on, but said she’s going to miss much about her business.

“I already miss my customers,” she said. “After 20 years they’re all my friends.”

Tags: business news, river city flower market, business