When Rew Holmgren was searching for a place to open his flower shop, Saint Montogren’s, he said Buda stood out for how it supported small businesses.

Four years after launching the business out of his garage and as a mobile flower shop in a 12-passenger bus, he’s been able to move the shop into its own space on Main Street and said the community is to thank for the continued growth.

The inspiration

Holmgren said he grew up in Illinois with a mom who gardened and raised him around flowers and plants. After graduating high school, he attended beauty school and was drawn to the hair industry.“Styling is my favorite part of [the hair] industry, and that kind of pulled over to the flowers,” Holmgren said. “It was another medium to play with and design with, and then once I started doing it, I was like, ‘Oh, this is really awesome.’ I dove in headfirst and just became obsessed.”

His first gig was servicing the flower vending machine in baggage claim at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. He also sold flowers at local markets. In 2023, the shop opened its first physical space inside Zoi Market.

Saint Montogren’s moved to Buda Mill & Grain Co. in January with the help of Buda Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business Incentive program.

What they offer

Saint Montogren’s sells plants, crystals and floral arrangements, offering local delivery to Buda, Kyle and South Austin.Holmgren said he tries to create a bright atmosphere with a moody twist at Saint Montogren’s. The shop’s products against the black walls blend masculine and feminine qualities, he said.

Saint Montogren’s partners with local farms including Cassiopeia Farm in southeast Austin to make arrangements for other local partners like Anthropologie’s bridal shop at Barton Creek Square.

The shop also offers wedding and event floral design. Holmgren said he and his designers are always learning and trying new things in the shop.“It’s quite the process, and there's a lot of steps involved to keep flowers super fresh from the moment we pick it up until the moment it hits the hands of our customers,” he said. “It's like this constant job of, we have all this inventory, but it takes constant treatment, constant care.”

Plant care and education are important to Holmgren. Each plant in the shop comes with a care card and classes are offered to teach customers how to be good “plant parents.”

What else?

Holmgren said the community support for Saint Montogren’s has been “tremendously wonderful.”

“We have so many people in this community that seem to love me and my designers and the stuff that we create, and they continue to come back for more, and I'm just so thankful for that,” he said.

• 306 S. Main St., Ste. 106, Buda
• www.saintmontogren.com