By Kyler Hagen
What began as a teenage fascination with flower shops has grown into one of downtown Rapid City’s most beloved businesses. Over the past three decades, Victoria’s Garden has evolved from a tiny floral shop into a thriving creative hub, expanding its space, offerings, and influence throughout the community.
Victoria “Vicki” Bierman, who grew up in Sturgis, founded Victoria’s Garden in 1989. It began as a modest storefront known as Terry’s Floral. Vicki had originally pursued a career in healthcare but found herself drawn back to flowers after college. She spent her weekends in college taking the bus around the city to visit flower shops. She got her start at Terry’s Floral as a delivery driver and quickly immersed herself in every aspect of the business, eventually purchasing it and renaming it Victoria’s Garden.
The shop’s early years were fast-paced and full of learning curves. Vicki navigated busy holidays, limited space, and logistical hurdles while slowly building the brand’s identity. From the beginning, her vision leaned botanical and artistic, favoring garden-inspired arrangements that felt hand-gathered and organic. “I wanted our arrangements to feel like someone had just gone into their garden and gathered a bouquet — wild, natural, unexpected,” Vicki said.
As the business found its rhythm, physical growth followed. Victoria’s Garden has moved locations three times, each time into a larger, more functional space. Today, the shop is housed in a beautifully restored building at 320 Seventh St., with an inviting main floor and a fully developed lower level that supports its latest wave of expansion.
That lower level has become a central part of Victoria’s Garden’s evolution. The space is now a venue for floral classes, workshops, and events. One of its signature offerings is the Bloom Bar, a DIY floral station open every Friday from noon to 5:00 pm, where customers can handpick stems and create their own arrangements, offering a hands-on experience where they can engage with flowers in a creative, community-driven way.
Their first event, the Practical Magic Garden Party, was a turning point, showcasing the true potential of the new space. The themed gathering drew hundreds of visitors and featured interactive crafts, pop-up vendors, and immersive décor. The success of this event inspired Vicki and her team to fully realize the vision for the lower level, which ultimately led to more intentional programming. “When people started walking through the door, I cried,” Vicki said. “It was like, yes—we did it. People felt the magic we were trying to create.” With plans to have someone who can dedicate more time to supporting the space, they are excited to expand their event offerings and continue creating memorable experiences for the community.
The business has also steadily broadened its retail footprint. Once limited to floral arrangements and plants, Victoria’s Garden now offers a curated selection of home goods, pottery, wine, greeting cards, gifts, and more. This mix of products allows the shop to serve a wider customer base and enhance the overall shopping experience beyond traditional floral work.
Much of this growth has been strategic, but it’s also been rooted in relationship-building. Vicki’s long-standing ties to the community have helped Victoria’s Garden remain both relevant and deeply local. Whether through chamber events in the early years or social media marketing today, the business continues to thrive by staying present and connected.
Staffing has also grown in step with the shop’s ambitions. From a one-woman operation with a single designer, Victoria’s Garden now employs more than a dozen team members. That includes floral designers, delivery drivers, retail specialists, and behind-the-scenes support. Each contributes to the warm, welcoming atmosphere that defines the brand.
The expansion hasn’t come without challenges. Vicki acknowledges the learning curve of scaling up, from managing inventory to documenting internal processes. But the evolution has also made room for her to step into more visionary leadership. With an assistant now onboard and more defined roles among her team, she’s focused on what’s next: expanding community events, educational experiences, and fostering deeper connections with customers.
Even after 36 years in business, Vicki’s passion hasn’t wavered. “People keep asking when I’ll retire,” she said. “I tell them, I still have things I want to do here. I’m not done.” She’s energized by the creativity of her team, the inspiration she draws from other florists, and the joy that flowers continue to bring to people’s lives.
Victoria’s Garden today is far more than a flower shop. It’s a place to gather, to create, to celebrate, and to feel something beautiful. And as the business continues to grow, it’s doing so with the same intention it began with: leading with heart, creativity, and a deep commitment to its community.
Photos courtesy of Shiloh Francis
The October 2025 issue of Elevate Magazine is now available! Inside, you’ll find inspiring stories of innovation, leadership, and community across the Black Hills.
This story was originally published in the October 2025 issue of Elevate Magazine.
