MARSHALL - Opportunity knocked and VIP Floral and Garden Center decided the time was right to expand into Marshall.
The Slayton-based enterprise moved to Marshall in mid-April and is located at 504 Baseline Road along Highway 23, said owner Stan Van Iperen.
"We've been looking at Marshall for quite a few years," he said. "When this space became available, we felt it was a good time to expand."
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Photo by Jodelle Greiner
Stan and Justin Van Iperen of VIP Floral and Garden Center look at some of their plants at the new location on Baseline Road in Marshall.
He liked the facility, which was set up for a garden center, and the location on Highway 23.
VIP Floral will be open 12 months of the year, he promised.
"We'll be more of a full-service florist and garden center," Van Iperen said.
"Spring is by far the busiest time because everyone wants to be outside working in the beds, but fall can be busy with all the fall plantings," he noted.
"You can plant all year long, it's just more work in summer," Van Iperen said. "Spring and fall are similar seasons because it's not so hot. Generally, trees and bushes are good (to plant now). Less care in the fall than the summer."
The staff of four is ready to assist and offer free consultation on landscaping and other do-it-yourself endeavors. Manager Justin Van Iperen has a horticulture degree and another staff member has a degree in plant science.
"We have a full line of nursery stocks, trees, shrubs, perennials, bedding plants, landscape services, rock and edging, seeding and sodding, lawn irrigation systems," Stan Van Iperen said. "We do installation of most everything we sell."
There is an expanded vegetable assortment.
"Plan to do more variety of fruits and vegetables," Van Iperen said. "Finding new and different decor in the garden items. Offer new and unique products."
Like the red jalapeno peppers Justin Van Iperen brought in to show him.
"We're expanding the floral part," Stan Van Iperen added.
They have fresh flowers for weddings, sympathy pieces, and everyday bouquets.
"We deliver in 20 miles around Marshall," Van Iperen said.
They also have fresh flowers available in the cooler at County Fair grocery store.
Van Iperen plans to carry seasonal items, like fall mums and fall pots and soon, Christmas trees.
VIP Floral is a member of the Marshall Chamber of Commerce.
"We do fund-raisers for a lot of groups with poinsettias, fall mums," Van Iperen said.