St. Cloud Garden Shop Expands Into Metal Art Sales
The Green Thumb Etc. is seeking a larger workspace to accommodate growing production and new local retail items.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Gardening
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St. Cloud plant shop The Green Thumb Etc. has expanded its operations since Jesse Formanek joined the business as CFO in early 2026. The shop, which opened in 2019, has grown its offerings to include metal sculptures, honey, and local merchandise.
Why it matters
The business has outgrown its current downtown storefront and is now exploring a move to Sauk Rapids. This relocation would provide the necessary space, including an overhead garage door, to support the production of large-scale metal art.
The business has operated for six years and recorded over $1,000 in art sculpture sales at both the downtown St. Cloud art crawl and the Millstream Art Festival. The shop is currently open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
The players
The Green Thumb Etc.
A St. Cloud-based gardening shop that offers seasonal flowers, honey, and metal art.
Jesse Formanek
The current CFO and partner at The Green Thumb Etc. who produces metal sculptures.
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
A regional educational institution that provided a custom caricature design for the shop.
The details
Jesse Formanek, who transitioned from a career in property and casualty insurance, now manages the business finances and creates custom metal sculptures. To accommodate these larger art projects, the owners are seeking a facility that allows for easier manufacturing and transport. The store also recently commissioned a caricature of the owners from the St. Cloud Technical and Community College to be installed on the storefront.
Timeline
The Green Thumb Etc. first opened in 2019.
Jesse Formanek officially joined the business in early 2026.
The Millstream Art Festival took place on the last Sunday in August 2026.
The Home Front
The business's growth reflects the challenges faced by local craft-focused retailers as they navigate the space constraints of established downtown districts. This move mirrors a common transition for small businesses that outgrow historic footprints in favor of specialized light-industrial space.
Readers looking to purchase seasonal flowers or locally made honey can visit the current storefront at 701 W. St. Germain St. during standard business hours. Keep an eye out for potential updates on the shop’s relocation if you are interested in browsing their expanded inventory of metal sculptures.
The takeaway
Small businesses often outgrow their original retail footprints as they diversify into artisan goods and larger-scale production. Check local event calendars for future art crawls to see new sculpture pieces as the shop prepares for its potential transition to a larger workspace.
Further reading
For more tips on supporting local nurseries and landscaping shops, visit our Gardening section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by St. Cloud Times.
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