Brendon and Madison Bruns are the new owners of the Flower Mill & Buttercup in Tarkio.

Flower Mill and Buttercup patrons are excited to have their favorite Tarkio gift, flower, and coffee shop open again. After the ownership of the business switched hands and a brief closure took place while changes were made inside, the Flower Mill and Buttercup welcomed its customers back at 606 Main Street in Tarkio last week. Now owned by Brendon and Madison Bruns of Shenandoah, Iowa, the same gifts and delicious drinks are waiting! Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The Buttercup drive-through opens at 7:30 a.m. and will stay open until they close in the evenings. Once the main store opens at 9:00 a.m., you can also go inside to order your drinks.

Madison graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Event Management and took off from there. She worked for a wedding venue for a short time before heading out on her own and creating Events by Madison. Madison has worked hard serving customers in all their wedding and birthday party needs. When she (along with her husband, Brendon, a 2016 Tarkio High School graduate) saw that the Flower Mill was for sale, she thought it was a great opportunity to expand her customer base and try something new. The Flower Mill is full of gifts for every occasion, as well as children’s toys and stuffed animals, kitchen items, cards and stationery, Swig cups and coolers, Willow Tree sympathy gifts, decor items, and flowers. Madison is also bringing balloons (not helium) to the mix and makes balloon garlands and arches and will be providing grab-and-go balloons. Customers can also still find their favorite Buttercup drinks, with the menu staying relatively the same. Events by Madison is also still in operation, so hopefully Flower Mill and Buttercup customers will also hit her up for their wedding and birthday event needs. Eventually, Madison would also like to bring some events to the Flower Mill, such as a bouquet party where kids can make their loved ones bouquets, as well as crafts for adults and children. She also plans to participate in community events.

The Flower Mill and Buttercup is employing six people for the summer and once fall arrives and school begins, Madison hopes to offer students some part-time employment or school-to-work opportunities. She will also be looking for full-time help from the community at that time.

Also staying in the store is Sew It Seams, owned by Kathy Athen. She will be open the same hours as the Flower Mill, except she will be closed during the lunch hour (noon to 1:00 p.m.) and on Tuesdays. She provides sewing and alterations, as well as custom work.

Stop by and meet Madison while shopping for a decor/gift item or flowers for your loved ones and grab a tasty drink for yourself!