IT’S THE TYPE OF BUSINESS any small town would welcome. Home-grown. Creative. Beautifully-designed. And busy, at least during my weekend stop.
When I entered Young Love Floral & Finds in downtown Plainview on a Saturday afternoon in mid-May, I paused and took in the scene before continuing up several stairs into this inviting space.
In this historic building, which housed the Plainview Hotel, then the First National Bank beginning in 1902 followed by Mallard Seeds, Shantelle Speedling has created a shop that honors the history and stories of this place. She worked in this space for 14 years, testing seed corn germination for the seed company.
Here, in a side room reserved for small celebrations and crafting parties/make-and-take events, local historic photos fill a well-used bulletin board pocked with holes. A bold, vintage Mallard Seeds sign accents the black-and-white and sepia photo collage.
Just around the corner, the in-tact original bank vault now serves as a walk-in storage space and a point of interest in this shop of florals and finds.
As a trained floral designer, this busy mother of three uses wood (yes, wood) and silk flowers to create stunning centerpieces, bouquets, wreaths and more. I observed a collection of her designs ready for a wedding. She also does casket sprays and florals for any occasion.
The “Finds” part of her business is equally as impressive. Home décor and other items, including cow prints which drew my farm girl eyes, are decidedly rural and artfully-displayed. Propped on aged furniture, hung on barn red doors, set atop stacked wooden boxes…
This place feels like it fits Plainview, a small farming community northeast of Rochester in southeastern Minnesota’s Wabasha County. Speedling took care to retain the historic rural character of the building, right down to keeping the original embossed ceiling, refreshing it with a new coat of paint.
There’s something to be said for a shopkeeper who values the past—here an historic building—enough to make it work in the present. Speedling has accomplished that. And now she’s imprinting her stories, her history, growing her business in a building where guests once stayed, merchants once banked and seeds once germinated.
FYI: Click here to read my previous posts on Plainview, including features on two other businesses, The Shop on Broadway and J.T. Variety & Toys. Please check back for two more stories in my series on this small Minnesota town. You may also be interested in reading these recent posts from neighboring Elgin.
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
what brilliant use of this charming historical space
It is. I loved everything about this shop.
I can smell the flower shop. My grandmother worked in a florist in Lincoln Illinois. She’s Jetons can of spinach and a hard boiled egg in the glass door fridge with the floral displays. I remember the spools of ribbon and wires. Gladiolas seemed prominent. Probably 1965. Your post brought up a lot of memories.
I’m glad I brought back some wonderful memories for you, Ruth. My closest-to-me-in age younger sister was a florist until recently, when health issues led to permanent disability status.
I’m sorry for what your sister is going through.
She had a rough few years, but is doing better now.
Another fun shop to explore!
Very much so.
Plainview is looking more and more like a place my sisters and I need to visit on my next trip to Minnesota. This shop would be top of our list of sites to take in. Thanks for exploring for us.
Plainview would be a good choice for a sisters’ day trip. Note that I missed other shops and that you will want to check dates places are open.
I could seriously do some damage to my wallet in this place! BEAUTIFUL 🙂 Thanks for sharing – Happy Weekend – Enjoy
I hear ya. Thanks for appreciating Young Love Floral & Finds in Plainview.