New persona for Ronan’s Flower Mill
Stacey Ingram-Luce, owner of The Flower Mill in Ronan, delights in assembling custom gift baskets, which sometimes requires a bit of a "treasure hunt" to fill them with items of interest to the recipient. (Carolyn Hidy/Lake County Leader)
Table and chairs redone by Saturday Morning Treasures, topped by a table scarf sewn on an antique treadle machine by Barbara Coulson of Ye Olde Treadle Shoppe. (Carolyn Hidy/Lake County Leader)
Quilted and colorful hot pads, placemats, table runners and wall hangings from Barbara Coulson of Ye Olde Treadle Shoppe. (Carolyn Hidy/Lake County Leader)
Mission Valley FFA members learn metal working and other skills in their Ronan shop, and sell their creations at The Flower Mill. (Carolyn Hidy/Lake County Leader)
RONAN — If you think of the Flower Mill on Main Street in Ronan as a place you only go to order flowers, it may be time for another visit.
Stacey Ingram-Luce, who acquired the business in July, has re-imagined the store. In addition to floral arrangements and gift baskets customized to suit any recipient's tastes and interests, from chocolate to shop tools, visitors will now find an extensive array of the creations of Mission Valley artisans and crafters.
Many local artists have gained popularity selling their wares at craft fairs and farmers markets throughout the year. But with those opportunities limited during the pandemic, the idea was hatched to feature them at the Flower Mill, or “The Mill,” as Ingram-Luce likes to call it.
“We wanted to be more inclusive in what we do,” Ingram-Luce said. “We try to keep things local, with consignment of quality local work.”
She said she works with her vendors to ensure prices are kept “Ronanable,” as she calls it — affordable in the local economy.
With the artistic eye of the floral designer but the heart of a country girl, Ingram-Luce focuses on an honest, rustic look. Even her floral arrangements, she said, have a fresh-from-the-garden feel.
Two different artisans, Shabby to Chic and Saturday Morning Treasures, bring in restored older furniture, refinished in their own styles, and she may soon add a third. Alan Grenier of Montana Tuff offers handcrafted tables made from blued pine. Handmade metal works include home and tree decorations from the Mission Valley FFA club and custom knives from Bill Houck.
There are natural bath products, easy on sensitive skin, from One Pine Hill and The Farmers Gals. Colorful, precision quilted hot pads from Ye Olde Treadle Shoppe, sewn on an antique treadle machine, decorate the holiday tree, and Stacey Koehl offers hand appliqued dishtowels. Many other gifts and useful items can be found as one takes in all the nooks and crannies, including jewelry, clothing, purses and baby items.
Kati Elliott is realizing a lifelong dream of having a clothing store with Kati’s Closet, tucked in a special corner, featuring affordable, American-made clothing.
January will bring the addition of a coffee bar, “Furniture Month” and classes, including making sourdough, and use of the Cricut crafting machine.
For more information, call 406-676-LEAF (5323). Flowers can be ordered at ronanflowermill.com.
