Judnic fulfils dream of owning flower shop

For Alysia Judnic, a dream that has been 15 years in the making is now a reality and while she is busier than ever before, she is excited for what the future will bring.

Judnic recently purchased the former Gerstberger Rib Lake Florist shop and renamed it Brysten Ann Floral. In the few weeks since the papers were signed, Judnic has given the interior of the shop a makeover with new paint and flooring as well as displays.

Judnic has three sons, Colton age 14, Kolt age 7 and Huxtyn age 3. She said that if she had ever had a daughter she planned on naming her Brysten Ann. She said the florist shop is now her baby so she gave it that name.

While there have been surface changes in appearance and name, Judnic said that what hasn’t changed is the commitment to quality and customer service that the flower shop has built a reputation for over many years. She is also grateful that former owner Nancy Dohrwardt, is continuing to work with her through the transition.

“Having Nancy here is the best thing,” Judnic said, noting the value that Dohrwardt’s decades of experience brings to the shop and the work she does with her ongoing clients. “She takes care of her clients, that’s for sure,” Judnic said.

So far Judnic said that the reception has been great in the community among both longtime customers of the shop and new ones. “Three weeks into it and I feel like I have been here forever already,” she said.

She said the pace between keeping up with orders and giving the shop a makeover has been daunting. “Being one person and trying to accomplish everything,” she said has been a challenge, which has forced her to ask for help when she has needed it.

“I try to do as much as possible by myself and really you just can’t,” she said, expressing appreciation to her family and friends who have stepped forward to help when asked.

Journey to ownership

Judnic feels that fate has played a major role in her journey to becoming the owner of Brysten Ann Floral.

She said she dreamed of owning the shop for the past 15 years. She said that it was such a good place and felt it was important that places like that existed in her hometown.

Judnic was familiar with the challenges of owning a business. She also owns a beauty salon in Ogema and knows the amount of work needed to keep a business running. Looking for something different, Judnic had decided to try real estate sales in addition to the salon and went to work for Redefined Realty in Medford.

She said her first “for sale” listing that came in was from Dohrwardt looking to put the shop up for sale.

“I got the email on my way home from Medford where I was just starting my career in real estate,” she said. “It was bad time but it was good timing too,” she said.

“It was fate at the best,” she said.

“I literally cried all the way home from Medford,” she said, noting the potential of being able to fulfill her longtime dream had her shaking with emotion. Once she got home she talked it over with her fiancé, Brad.

“Brad is my biggest supporter,” Judnic said. “He told me do whatever you want to do and I will support you.”

Buying a business is not something that happens overnight. For Judnic, the process took more than nine months. “Sometimes I felt like there would be no end in sight,” she said.

She said she would not have been able to have made this dream a reality without the help of AbbyBank who offered a business manager to work with her as she worked through the financing. She especially praised the efforts of loan officer John Seal who worked with her to get everything lined up. “He tells me like it is,” she said, noting that was something she appreciated working through the process.

Looking ahead

Judnic is excited about the future of Brysten Ann Floral and looks forward to nurturing its growth for years to come.

She said future plans for the shop include expanding the back room area to create a private consultation area for people who come in to talk about wedding or funeral arrangements. The space will give them somewhere to sit in privacy when selecting arrangements.

Judnic will be holding a grand opening celebration from Noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 12 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 13 and plans drawings and giveaways for those attending.