St. Cloud Garden Shop Expands Artistic Reach

The Green Thumb Etc. brings on a new CFO and broadens its inventory to include metal sculptures and local honey.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Gardening

Bold vector editorial illustration of a rustic metal garden sculpture, a honey jar, and a clay pot, representing small business expansion. — The Green Thumb Etc. in St. Cloud has added Jesse Formanek as CFO and is expanding its inventory to include local metal sculptures. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Green Thumb Etc. in St. Cloud has added Jesse Formanek as a partner and CFO as of early 2026. The business is now diversifying its product line to include metal sculptures, honey, mugs, and T-shirts.

Why it matters

The shop is seeking a larger workspace to accommodate the production and transport of large metal sculptures. Their current storefront on West St. Germain Street has reached capacity, prompting interest in a new location in Sauk Rapids.

The shop has operated for 6 years and maintains weekday hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with Saturday hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The players

Jesse Formanek

He is the current CFO and partner at The Green Thumb Etc. who brings a background in property and casualty insurance.

The Green Thumb Etc.

This is a St. Cloud business established in 2019 that specializes in seasonal flowers and handcrafted goods.

St. Cloud Technical and Community College

This educational institution provided the caricature services for the shop owners.

The details

Jesse Formanek, who previously worked in property and casualty insurance, manages the business finances and creates custom metal art. The owners have also commissioned a caricature of themselves from St. Cloud Technical and Community College to display on the storefront.

The Green Thumb Etc. first opened in 2019.
Jesse Formanek joined the business in early 2026.
The Millstream Art Festival occurred on the last Sunday in August 2026.

Culture Shift

This business follows the broader trend of artisan-led small business diversification as local shops integrate unique handmade goods to drive growth. These shifts reflect a move toward multi-category retail where stores function as both service centers and galleries for local craft.

Residents can now find custom metal sculptures and local honey alongside seasonal floral arrangements at the downtown storefront. Shoppers should note that the business continues to operate under its established 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekday schedule.

The takeaway

Small businesses often expand by integrating the personal skills of new partners to meet changing consumer interests. Owners looking to grow should consider whether their physical infrastructure can support the production of larger, specialized items before scaling.