Community Highlights: Meet Mary Ernst McColgan of Rose Bredl Flowers and Garden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Ernst McColgan

Hi Mary , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
before I moved to Columbus with abercrombie & fitch, I lived in Boston. I fell in love with the quaint flower shops that were all around the city. I knew that is what i wanted to have one day. i decided it was time, and we were lucky enough to find this incredible space in the short north. if there was one thing i knew it was that the shop had to be in the arts district. our retail space has exposed brick walls, tall ceilings and hardwood floors. the perfect space to get dirty! it has truly turned into a garden sanctuary, it is a place that brings so much happiness to so many people. the passion, the love for designing and making people happy is what makes me want to keep going.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
with any small business the struggles are real. think about opening a business before social media, the true marketing tool was word of mouth. thank goodness that we were building a great reputation. we focused on the quality of our products and were consistent with our floral designing.
economy crashes our first year, i didn’t think we were going to make it, but we did. it is important to have a background in the business you are pursuing, mine was in retail. i was a marketing manager and a district manager for abercrombie. i knew how to balance books and look at payroll. i knew how to control the controllable.
and then there was covid, right? nothing has been the same, but we were able to be open with curbside pick ups and deliveries in the beginning, we managed through that first few months and it was good. customers actually were supporting the small businesses in their community, it gave us so much hope.
if there is one thing i know, you just have to be ready for anything and be flexible.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Rose Bredl is a full-service florist specializing in beautiful, seasonal arrangements. From elegantly crafted vase arrangements to hand-tied wrapped bouquets, each arrangement is designed for you our customer.

Our retail studio has more than just beautiful flowers. We offer a thoughtfully curated selection of handmade-in-the-USA items, including plants, container gardening pots, candles, soaps, and unique recycled vases. Every piece in our store is chosen to reflect a love for natural beauty and quality craftsmanship.

We specialize in creating wedding arrangements that are fresh, effortless, and unique— each piece embodying a classic charm with a modern touch. Our wedding design team is passionate about bringing your vision to life, working with you to create the perfect floral arrangements for your special day. With a focus on originality and elegance, Rose Bredl will make your wedding florals as memorable and unique as your love story.

I think the one thing that sets us apart from others is the commitment to quality and consistency in everything from our flower arrangements to the products we carry in our retail store.

our retail store is a place that is warm and cozy, it feels like home.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I would not be able to do this if i did not have the support from my husband patrick. the biggest cheerleader. he is behind the scenes making our music and helping us pull off store design by shopping for cool fixtures for our retail store. encouraging me all the way. his style and attention to detail has helped us create a brand that is unique and cool.
the girls in “our gang” over the years have brought so much talent and passion to the business. we have a vintage chalkboard in our store with a message and a sketch of the storefront and photos of us over the years. message: “we are more than just friends we’re like a really small gang.” the “gang” – thanks and love to: nat, dempsey, hannah, sabrina, jude, coco, turk, tag, nicole, penelope, charlotte, donna, milla, jade, amanda and my sisters colleen and cheryl.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rosebredl.com
• Instagram: rose bredl
• Facebook: rose bredl flowers and garden
• Yelp: rose bredl