Brenda’s Bloomers offers more room for shoppers
Staff writer
Every once in a while, an opportunity presents itself and so you take it.
When Brenda McGinness opened Brenda’s Bloomers & Gifts at 111 W. Grand, Hillsboro, she knew at some point she would want a larger store. There weren’t many options at that location except expanding to the east or finding another location.
In the meantime, Vicky Mohn, owner of Vicky’s School of Dance, decided to close her studio, giving McGinness an opportunity to expand.
So, she did.
McGinness relocated her retail business from Marion to Hillsboro three years ago, offering fresh floral arrangements, and gift and home décor items.
The former dance studio was renovated during the past few weeks. Carpeting was removed which revealed a wooden floor and new paint was applied to ceilings and walls.
“I contacted my landlord, Marv Schellenberg, and asked him if I could cut a hole in the wall to expand. He said I could,” McGinness said.
An interior walkway now connects the two buildings and it is wheelchair accessible. This allows employees and customers from Brenda’s Bloomers & Gifts to have access to the other building.
And in the other building, it is a seasonal wonderland.
Fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas décor and candles including pumpkins, ornaments, garland, and wreaths fill the area with color and holiday flare.
McGinness hopes to have the seasonal shop open in the coming week or so but for sure it will be open for the Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair.
One of the more unusual display items in the shop is a wooden outhouse. No, it’s not from a farm but was built by a couple from Wichita, McGinness said.
In addition to making improvements to the front entrance and dance studio, McGinness also improved an office area with fresh paint. That office is now home to the Hillsboro Star-Journal.