Vivarium owner Kelsey Watts and employee Allie Daniels take Debbie Rinehart’s order on Thursday, Oct. 17, with two cases of La Rose Marie Bakery items on display.
La Rose Marie Bakery has officially hit the shelves in Montezuma. La Rose Marie owners Karli Nikkel and Julie Roozeboom continue to grow and expand the reach of the delicious treats that come out of the Sully bakery’s kitchen. After offering products at the Ankeny location of Sully Locker, La Rose Marie is now available in neighboring Montezuma - and already, it’s a big hit!
The idea came about by Montezuma Floral owners Todd and Jennifer Schuur, who have had a working relationship with La Rose Marie Bakery for over three years, when the Montezuma flower shop began selling fresh floral arrangements at the bakery.
“I’ve been trying to get La Rose to come to Montezuma ever since,” said T. Schuur.
Montezuma Floral renovated the west side of their building this past summer to make room for a Vivarium Coffee and La Rose Marie Bakery to come aboard the one-stop sip and shop on the north side of the square at 309 East Main Street, Montezuma. Doors opened in the new space on Tuesday, Oct. 15, and there’s been a steady flow of customers since then.
Vivarium Coffee is a full-service coffeeshop that has been in operation in Montezuma since 2021. It was previously located at 105 North 4th Street, but when former Hometown Press employee Derek Bates and his wife Simone purchased The Record newspaper and moved into part of the building, Vivarium Coffee owner Kelsey Watts saw an opportunity to team up with Montezuma Floral and La Rose Marie Bakery.
“We are so excited to partner with Montezuma Floral and Vivarium to take our baked goods to Montezuma,” said Julie Roozeboom.
La Rose Marie has two cases of signature desserts that are changed out daily. Vivarium Coffee has seating for up to 30, so there’s space to sit and enjoy a warm drink and sweet treat, or customers can peruse the many flowers, gifts, and food items in adjoining Montezuma Floral, including a selection of wines from Sully’s Van Wijk Winery and other Iowa vendors.