Boxwood blooms with new ownership

RITZVILLE – The Boxwood Home and Garden Center is under new ownership, with Mitch and Debbie Starring taking over October 6.

The transfer of ownership went seamlessly, with previous owners Aimee Guiles and Dave Benedict signing over keys after closing for the evening, and the new owners opening the doors the next morning, Oct. 6.

Employees Shayla Claydon and Maisar Federer remain on staff. Owner Debbie Starring also used to work at The Boxwood.

"I attended Dave and Aimee's grand opening six years ago, and that day I applied for a job here," Starring said. "I worked part time for three and a half years, and fell in love with it."

Starring said she really liked the "whole idea of bringing this to the community."

"There wasn't a floral store anymore, or a garden center," Starring said.

She will remain at her full-time "day job" at RDO Equipment Company, so new employee Kelly Yockey will manage the store in Starring's absence.

"We are a team," Starring said, adding customers will enjoy seeing Yockey's "beautiful smiling face and lovely flower arrangements."

"Making flower arrangements is fun," Yockey said. "We also had fun going to get all the pumpkins together."

The crew picked up loads of big pumpkins and decorative ones, designing the grounds to look ready for a fantastic fall festival.

"We spent a few weekends with family and friends, and lot of friends pitching in, to help get it set up for opening in a colorful way," Starring said.

She said a "soft opening by word of mouth" when they first opened was well-attended.

"It was fantastic. The community came out in full support, with lots of well-wishes. And I thank them for that," Starring said.

She said a grand opening would be held in the spring, but for now she wants to show her gratitude for the community's support by bringing in a BBQ truck Saturday, Oct. 24. They will be serving BBQ beef brisket sandwiches, baked beans, chips and a drink.

Along with the pumpkin patch, flowers including fall mums ready to be planted adorn the grounds. Inside, fresh grounds of another sort waft from the espresso machine, welcoming visitors out of the crisp autumn air and into the store filled with gifts for sale, some baked goods, and a selection of ice cream.

"We will continue the flower services, including local delivery," Starring said. "We'll have seasonal and occasion gift baskets that will be pre-made. They're not in stock yet; they're a work in progress, as are the grounds."

The Boxwood will be open year-round, and have the same hours for now; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"I want this to be a place where everyone in the community knows they are welcome," Starring said. "It is family-friendly and we want it to remain that way. We have some 25 cent candy and kids are welcome to ride their bikes down and come on in."

"It's just a fun, happy place," Yockey said. "I thoroughly enjoy coming to work here."

"We are blessed to have her," Starring said. "I am juggling both jobs for now, so thank goodness for Kelly. I don't know if I would have done this without her."

we will continue the flower services includes local delivery

The Boxwood is located at 408 W. 1st Avenue.