Clinton’s Broad Street has a fresh new bloom of creativity with the opening of Aspen & Figs and The Clinton Art Gallery, two distinct businesses that share a single space, a vision, and a spirit of partnership.
For Mary Beth Spry, owner of Aspen & Figs, the move represents a new chapter. After losing her previous shop in a fire, she describes her start on Broad Street as both a challenge and a joy.
“It’s good to start over,” she said. “This time, I’m focusing on the art of being a full-service florist, and it makes me very happy.”
Spry lights up when she talks about her work, especially the flowers she designs for local churches each weekend. She affectionately calls it her “play time.” Beyond weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and everyday occasions, she finds joy in creating arrangements that brighten lives.
What makes this new venture unique is the partnership she shares with Jeannie Browning, owner of The Clinton Art Gallery. While the two businesses are separate, the women describe their relationship as a true collaboration rather than a simple cohabitation of space.
“We try not to separate by what’s mine or hers,” Spry explained. “We celebrate everything together. When art comes in or a plant goes out, we keep each other going.”
Browning, who curates the gallery, spoke with deep admiration for Spry’s work. “Mary Beth truly has a reputation for gorgeous arrangements. I feel honored to be a part of this partnership,” she said. “At first, I had to be convinced this would work. But after prayers and reflection, I realized this is the time for Clinton. Our community is ready for this.”
The Clinton Art Gallery already features 20 artists and more than 50 works of art. Browning hopes the gallery will become not just a place to shop but a refuge for residents.
“I want people to come in, sit with a cup of coffee, breathe, and forget their problems for a few minutes,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if they buy something. This is about creating a safe place in the midst of beauty and plants.”
Browning also emphasized the importance of shared space and collaboration, noting that pooling expenses and creativity makes business ownership more accessible. “It’s okay to say, ‘I can’t do it by myself, but I can do it with others,’” she explained. “That’s how we can fill these empty buildings and bring more life into uptown Clinton.”
The new venture also houses the office of Main Street Clinton Director Jim Spry, who praised the energy and innovation behind the shared space.
“It’s amazing to see all these businesses back and thriving,” he said. “I pestered Jeannie last year about opening the gallery, so seeing it here now is incredible. This is a great example of how you can creatively come together and make things happen.”
For Mary Beth and Jeannie, the opening of Aspen & Figs and The Clinton Art Gallery is about more than flowers and art—it’s about building community, celebrating one another’s successes, and creating a welcoming space for Clinton to grow.
As Spry put it, “Things are less daunting when you know someone is in it with you. But it’s also so much more than that. Together, we celebrate every step forward.”
