Decades of blooming memories, created one bouquet at a time

Flowers play a powerful role in life’s milestone events, marking moments of joy, love, and remembrance. From weddings and graduations to anniversaries and memorials, floral arrangements help capture the significance of these occasions and create lasting memories.   

For more than four decades, Tim and Patty Speckel have been the face of Buffalo Floral, a business they nurtured into a community mainstay.      

Since purchasing the shop in 1984, the Speckels have marked life’s milestones for generations of residents—celebrating weddings, honoring loved ones, and brightening everyday moments with carefully crafted arrangements. Now, after years of long days, busy holiday seasons, and deep-rooted relationships with customers, Tim and Patty have passed the business on to new owners, Brent and Janine Kohlbeck, turning the page on a significant chapter in both their lives.

Graduates of Delano High School, The Speckels purchased Buffalo Floral from Rainer and Delores Penske, who owned the shop for 17 years.   

“We were 23 years old, straight out of school,” stated Patty. “I had worked for the Penske’s in the late 70’s. They reached out to us when Tim finished business school and asked if we wanted to buy a flower shop.”

With hearty faith and a can-do spirit, the Speckels took a chance on the opportunity. The couple made for a great pairing. Patty attended Hennepin Technical College, studying floral design, and was employed as an instructor. With Patty’s artistic skill, she focused on creating arrangements and designs. With an education and background in business, Tim managed supply and distribution operations of the floral shop.

Community

Operating a business takes a huge commitment and a ton of elbow grease. Moving from the Delano area to Buffalo in their early 20’s, the Speckels quickly learned the importance of acclimating to the local community. 

“It was difficult and took time when we first got here. People always asked who we were related to, but we had no family in Buffalo,” said Patty. “That’s why we got so involved with the community. Getting involved in the community is critical to success as a small business owner. We’ve been really truly blessed by the community. I can’t say enough about the community around us. We want to thank everyone who has helped us thrive.”

The Speckels have formed many friendships over the years while running the flower shop, a testament to their steadfast involvement within the community. 

“You do the baptismal flowers for a child and the next thing you know, you’re making the Holy Communion crown, then they’re going to prom, then you have the wedding,” said Patty. You follow these families through everything, the whole ride. It’s awesome. That’s the part I’m going to miss, those connections.”

The Speckels are active members of St. Francis Church, and Tim has been involved with the Buffalo Fire Department for 38 years, along with coaching youth sports. “They support you, so you support them,” shared Tim. 

“Our funeral directors have been very supportive of us, the Peterson Chapel, along with others around. If you have a good connection with your funeral people, they support you, too,” added Patty.

Change

Originally, Buffalo Floral was located at 206 Division Street before moving to its current location on Central Avenue twenty years ago. Tim remodeled the interior, turning what was once an office space into a floral shop, even acquiring and repurposing an old cooler from Tom Thumb.

Communications looked different from what we see today. “We did deliveries with a map and a CB radio in the flower shop for our drivers,” stated Patty. “We didn’t have GPS or cell phones.”

“Back when we started, there was the Journal-Press, Yellow Pages, and radio,” added Tim. “That was the only type of advertising there was.”

Forty years of technological advances brought a few challenges along the way.

“One of the hardest parts was needing to have all these platforms,” said Patty. “You have to have someone do your Facebook and Instagram. Technology was the last thing I cared about. I just wanted to do art.” 

Fortunately, the Speckels found help in the department of communications, allowing Patty’s creative and artistic abilities to shine.

Life of a Florist

Before the shop lights turn on and the first customer of the day walks through the door, a florist is already hard at work, hands deep in buckets of blooms, arranging an assortment of colors into works of beauty. 

“You have to be a very good multi-tasker when you work in the flower business,” said Patty. “You’re like an octopus, you’re on the phone while making a flower arrangement, someone walks in the door, and you greet them.”

Holidays are especially busy at Buffalo Floral, with Valentine’s Day being number one. Long, 17-hour workdays are the norm leading up to the special occasion; it’s an all-hands-on-deck period for owners and employees. 

“We have four-to-six people on staff year-round, but also call-in additional help around major holidays where we can have up to 20 people working,” said Tim.

Flowers come into the shop raw before being processed and cleaned. During Valentine’s preparation, the work is plentiful. 

“You have so many boxes of flowers coming in and no orders yet from customers,” said Patty. “You have to forecast what people will buy. If you wait and don’t order ahead, you won’t have it. You can’t catch up. You have to over-order and hope that people will come. Then you worry about the weather and the health of the flowers. Staying on top of trends and adapting to changes has been a key to success.”

Over the decades, the Speckels have employed many people. They are quick to acknowledge how special each employee has been to the business, and the many contributions they’ve made. 

Diane Buskey has been a mainstay for over 30 years. “She started with us making Christmas wreaths in the 80’s, she landscaped with us, and then moved to the flower shop. She’s gone to classes, self-trained, and learned from being in the shop. She’s pretty much done everything there,” highlighted Tim. On the Landscaping side, Tim is quick to mention Richie Lanin as being instrumental in operations for over 30 years. “We’ve always been surrounded by a very good team.”

Looking Ahead

The Speckels raised three daughters—Justine, Miranda and Payton—and are the proud grandparents of five, with a sixth grandchild expected in the coming months. The family is eagerly anticipating the newest addition.

Family has long been at the heart of the business. Tim and Patty extend their gratitude to their daughters and sons-in-law—Justine and Josh Grover, Miranda and Jake Duske, and Payton and Cooper Ling—for their dedication and hard work over the past 41 years. The Speckels credit their strong faith and thank God for guiding them through the challenges and joys of business, marriage, and life.

The Speckels feel fortunate to hand over the reins to new owners, Brent and Janine Kohlbeck. Janine has worked in the shop for the past three years, and Patty will stay involved through the transition period, sharing keen wisdom and knowledge gained over the decades. 

The sale of Buffalo Floral does not mean retirement for this active couple. The Speckels will remain in the landscaping and snow removal business. They also own Buffalo Hills Tree Farm where they raise Christmas trees and operate a pumpkin patch in the fall. 

“It’s been a good ride. We’ve had an opportunity to employ a lot of people, meet a lot of people, and serve a lot of people,” said Patty.