Galleria & Bachman's Bring Back Spirit of Macy's Flower Show With New Spring Display

In 2016, local shoppers were hit with the news that Macy’s downtown Minneapolis store had been sold and would close—and along with it, the Macy’s Flower Show. Fortunately, the tradition is being revived this spring by Galleria in collaboration with longtime Macy’s Flower Show floral partner, Bachman’s.

Dubbed “Spring Is in the Air,” the new “flower experience” will arrive at the Edina shopping center in late March with a series of displays and vignettes appearing in several locations on Galleria’s main floor as well as its lower level, including its newly completed wing. According to a press release, the free show promises an “immersive transformation [of Galleria] celebrating the arrival of spring.” Many of the displays will be floor-to-ceiling sights, incorporating hanging arrangements and other raised installations.

The floral arrangements will nod to the Galleria’s reputation for upscale fashion and home goods. “Think elegance with a hint of couture,” says Galleria general manager, Wendy Eisenberg. Galleria’s mix of upscale retailers will also nod to the installations with displays showcasing vibrant floral fabrics in fashion and home.

The gardens will include hyacinths, tulips, and other springtime favorites, all being specially prepared to bloom early by Bachman’s. “We are already working on coaxing an early blooming schedule for a range of spring floral favorites,” says Dale Bachman, chairman of the board of Bachman’s and a fourth-generation member of the family-owned business.

The downtown Minneapolis flower show tradition began in 1960 when the building was owned and operated by Dayton’s. It continued under Marshall Field’s ownership and later Macy’s. Each year, the show took on a different theme, such as classical art, technology, secret gardens, and Brazilian rainforests. About 65,000 winter-weary Minnesotans attended each year’s show, seeking respite from the chilly late-March weather—and after this year’s frigid winter, it’s likely they will do the same once again. 

March 25–April 8 @ Galleria, 69th St. & France Ave., Edina, galleriaedina.com

More: Take a look at the 2015 Macy’s Flower Show, “Art in Bloom,” celebrating the art of technology and a 2015 Q&A with Dale Bachman about the Macy’s Flower Show creative process on the MNMO Style Blog.