After more than 30 years of providing flowers, gifts, and goodies to the residents of Atchison County and others near and far, Betsy Chapin, her daughter, Lydia Hurst, and her granddaughter, Bella Hurst, are selling the Flower Mill in Tarkio.
The following statement was published on the Flower Mill’s Facebook page:
“The Flower Mill building and business are for sale. This has been a very hard decision, but after 32+ years of being in the family, we have decided it’s time for change. We are very hopeful and excited to see what the future holds! Thank you to all of the community support through the years. This is a wonderful community, we are so grateful for you all and will cherish the memories forever! More importantly is a gigantic thanks to all who have helped us the last 32 years to make it all possible! We have had the best co-workers that have been and remain family always and forever. We are asking 160K and are happy to answer any questions – text or call Lydia at 816-244-6926. Thanks, Friends!”
For over 30 years and at two different locations in Tarkio, gorgeous flowers could be purchased at the Flower Mill for weddings, funerals, anniversaries, holidays, birthdays, or as get-well or thinking-of-you presents. The arrangements sometimes came with big balloons or delicious candy. Over the years, the business added an assortment of gifts, cards and stationery, stuffed animals, candles, kitchenware, plants, home decor, and even a coffee/drink/ice cream shop (The Buttercup). Also in the Flower Mill was Sew-It-Seams, a sewing and alterations business run by Kathy Athen. Besides always offering up just the right gift for that special someone, the Flower Mill employees always offered up smiles and friendly conversations as well. They went out of their way to provide easy access to their products through daily deliveries, handed out free flowers every year as part of the Friendship Day festivities, worked hand-in-hand with the Atchison County Development Corporation, Atchison County Library branches, and Atchison County schools during the Battle of the Books, and even started a Random Act of Kindness campaign where people could call in and purchase a Buttercup gift certificate for someone as thanks for special deeds done in the community.
Owner Lydia Hurst remarked, “This is so bittersweet and I love this community and business so much! Someone told me once to get out while you still love it so I’m taking that advice. Our biggest rewards have been the friends we have made all across the area, watching kids grow up to be parents and having a second family with our co-workers. We have been so blessed with the best and many are now our forever family! My biggest prayer is to find the right buyer who will continue the business that I love – we are offering it as a turnkey sale so they would have everything ready to go very easily and I know the new ideas would make it another huge success! If you have gift certificates, please come get them used! We have lots of items to choose from and you can get a Buttercup, too, while you shop! We have about five people/couples currently inquiring about purchasing the building and business and we are so hopeful that one of these or someone else decides this is a valuable opportunity for them and the community!”
The Flower Mill and Buttercup will remain open until the end of May, unless a buyer is found. Sew-It-Seams will remain open either way.
