STANHOPE - Kauffman Floral and Produce is a new summertime business in Stanhope. Located right next to U.S. Highway 17 in the middle of town, the hanging baskets and pots of flowers invite drivers to pull over and check out what's for sale.
Ben Kauffman, of Webster City, is taking care of the business this summer while he's on break from Iowa State University, where he's a sophomore majoring in finance. Kauffman said his dad, John, has owned the property in Stanhope for several years now.
"We've been contemplating other uses for the lot, playing around with micro-business plans for now," the younger Kauffman said. "And I'm getting experience on running something like this."
Article Photos
- Daily Freeman-Journal photos by Billie Shelton
RIGHT: Ben Kauffman assists customers selecting flowering plants. Kauffmant has a plant stand in Stanhope.
Selling the flowers has been working well, with a good start, according to Kauffman.
"People are curious, so they stop," he said. The ISU student is there with the flowers, which are grown in Marshalltown, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays by 10 a.m.
Plans are to also offer produce for sale later this season, including sweet corn which should be some of the earliest around, Kauffman promises, adding that when produce comes in he plans to be on duty at the business most of the week until time to return to classes at ISU.