CRESTLINE–The idea of opening her own flower shop and greenhouse has finally “blossomed” for Jessica Millenbaugh.

The Crestline native is now the owner of The Flower Barn & Crafts, 5877 Lincoln Highway, a floral shop, greenhouse, and gift shop brimming with fresh-cut flowers, plants, and an array of artificial arrangements, wreaths, and handmade crafts.\

“I knew that this is what I wanted to do in the end, open my own shop and have my own greenhouse,” said Millenbaugh, a Colonel Crawford graduate who went on to earn a degree in floral design from The Ohio State Agricultural Institute in Wooster in 2018.

The Flower Barn & Crafts held its grand opening March 28, offering first-time customers a glimpse of spring – and a greenhouse overflowing with colorful flowers, potted plants, and hanging baskets, many of which were grown by Millenbaugh herself.

“I think one of the coolest things about this is the energy. Everybody is so excited about this,” Millenbaugh said before Saturday afternoon’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at the business. “There’s just something about flowers and spring. People just get so excited.”

The 20-by-30-foot building, which resembles a barn, has a lean-to on the back, which houses the greenhouse. Renovating the structure was a family project, said Millenbaugh, whose father, Brian Millenbaugh, and fiancé, Mitchell Stuckert, built the countertops and shelves and did the trim work.

Millenbaugh’s passion for plants, however, started at an early age when she helped her mother, Janet Leonhardt, dig up dirt for annuals. “Her flower beds were over the top. I always loved doing that with her and my sisters as well. We have a thing for flowers.”

The family also farmed and raised cattle for decades. The grain operation – Leonhardt Farms – was founded by her grandfather, Dorsey Leonhardt.

“He was so special to all of us.

He always pushed me to be successful and find something I loved to do.”

As a teenager, Millenbaugh was active in 4-H and a regular at the Crawford County Fair. One of her favorite cows, Stella, was the inspiration for The Flower Barn’s black-and-white logo. “She’s taught me so many life lessons and has made so many wonderful memories in my life,” Millenbaugh said.

“It might be silly to some, but for those who understand this, Stella has been a true four-legged friend, and now not only stands for a loyal, humble cow but also stands for a loyal and humbling floral business,” Millenbaugh posted on the shop’s Facebook page.

Millenbaugh – also an artist who does custom work – sells her acrylic paintings and charcoal drawings at The Flower Barn. Sisters Amber Kovach and Lori Millenbaugh have added their handmade towels, coasters, tumblers, and key chains to the gift shop’s shelves.

Longtime friend Ashlyn Zerangue specializes in the succulent and house plant part of the operation, Millenbaugh said, while a cousin, Kristy Widman, and another friend, Cindy Jones, have also pitched in getting the new venture up and running.

“This has been such a big teamwork project to bring it all together. Everyone had their part in this,” she said. “We’re just happy to be finally doing this, and that was my goal.”

The Flower Barn & Crafts is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 to 2.