Dream comes true

For as long as she can remember, Mary Nordland has dreamed of owning her own flower shop and as of Wednesday of last week, that dream has been realized and Tulips and Treasures Floral Shop is open for business.

"I have done the flowers at Albertsons for years and years," Nordland said. "But I have always wanted my own shop."

Since the beginning of June, Nordland has teamed with family and friends to get the old Packy's convenience store whipped into shape, cleaning, pulling down old insulation, inserting new coolers and getting the old coolers back into working condition. The floors have been mopped and buffed, flowers and gift items have hit the shelves and now Nordland is ready for business.

"We put in new ceilings and painted all the walls," Nordland added, "and then we scrubbed, and scrubbed and scrubbed...and then scrubbed some more."

Nordland recently celebrated her 54th birthday and shortly thereafter decided that it was high time to peruse her entrepreneurial escapade.

"Do you know how many 50-year-olds have died recently," Nordland quizzed. "It's been a lot in the last year. It was kind of a wakeup call and I figured the time is right. It will either work or it won't."

Since opening, Nordland said that there have been a lot of people coming by to see how Tulips and Treasures is shaping-up and one is more impressed than the last. The shop will employee Nordland and her daughter, Michelle Mackey and added that her family has been instrumental in not only supporting her dream, but also rolling up their sleeves and helping to clean up the old gas station.

"It has been a family affair," Nordland admitted. "Everybody has contributed. My mom, my brother, my husband, my kids...you name it. I could not have done any of this without their help."

Besides flowers, the treasure portion of Tulips and Treasures will feature antiques, collectibles and Made in Montana products.

"Not your run of the mill, Chinese made stuff," Nordland added. "We've got aprons, pillows, dish towels, you name it. Just unique stuff."

Nordland said when she first took a look at the old Packy's building – which had sat empty for the last three years -- that she was intimidated by the size of the store and feared she wouldn't be able to fill the sale's floor. Those fears have dissipated since those early days and now she is confident she can provide customers with quality products.

Tulips and Treasures is currently open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday's.