Provo man loves city developments be they small or large
Tosh Metzger builds a small village in his shop, Provo Florist ,on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Tosh Metzger builds a small village in his shop, Provo Florist on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. He has also recently become a one man band for new developments in Provo and Orem with two new facebook pages on the subject. His new Provo developments page has close to 29,000 followers. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Tosh Metzger answers calls from his customers at Provo Florist on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Tosh Metzger builds a small village in his shop, Provo Florist on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. All of his creations are fr sale. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Tosh Metzger poses for a portrait next to one of his castles in his shop, Provo Florist on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Metzger builds the castles to help overcome anxiety and stress. He has also recently become a one man band for new developments in Provo and Orem with two new facebook pages on the subject. His new Provo developments page has close to 29,000 followers. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
A castle built by Tosh Metzger is displayed at his shop, Provo Florist on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Metzger builds the castles to help overcome anxiety and stress. He has also recently become a one man band for new developments in Provo and Orem with two new facebook pages on the subject. His new Provo developments page has close to 29,000 followers. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Tosh Metzger builds a small village in his shop, Provo Florist on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Metzger builds the castles to help overcome anxiety and stress. He has also recently become a one man band for new developments in Provo and Orem with two new facebook pages on the subject. His new Provo developments page has close to 29,000 followers. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Tosh Metzger builds a small village in his shop, Provo Florist on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Metzger builds the castles to help overcome anxiety and stress. He has also recently become a one man band for new developments in Provo and Orem with two new facebook pages on the subject. His new Provo developments page has close to 29,000 followers. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Tosh Metzger builds a small village in his shop, Provo Florist on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Metzger builds the castles to help overcome anxiety and stress. He has also recently become a one man band for new developments in Provo and Orem with two new facebook pages on the subject. His new Provo developments page has close to 29,000 followers. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Tosh Metzger builds a small village in his shop, Provo Florist on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Metzger builds the castles to help overcome anxiety and stress. He has also recently become a one man band for new developments in Provo and Orem with two new facebook pages on the subject. His new Provo developments page has close to 29,000 followers. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Tosh Metzger answers calls from his customers at Provo Florist on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Metzger builds the castles to help overcome anxiety and stress. He has also recently become a one man band for new developments in Provo and Orem with two new facebook pages on the subject. His new Provo developments page has close to 29,000 followers. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Tosh Metzger loves buildings, architecture, and new developments both big and small.
He says that interest has been there most of his life and was nourished by trips with his mother to downtown Provo when he was just a boy.
“My mom took me to downtown when I was a kid. Provo was hip,” Metzger said. “I like the eclectic feel of downtown Provo. “
Metzger, owner of Provo Florist LLC, has taken that love of his hometown, his intrigue with European castles and his interest in all things miniature and has developed his own mashup of hobbies.
In his floral shop, Metzger creates mini-villages attached to European-styled castles from his own imagination.
“I lived in Milan, Italy and loved the castles there and in Spain, Austria, Germany and Switzerland,” Metzger said. “My first attempt was a Tangled Tower. I saw it online and thought, ‘I could make this.'”
That was two years ago. Since that time he has developed six or seven miniatures that include bonsai trees, moss, florals, fencing, cobblestone, pitched roofs, and in one case a fully working clock tower.
“I call them Metzger’s Miniatures,” he said. “They are original, one-of-a-kind, handmade items for sale.”
They are not cheap, but the asking price is reasonable for the work and craftsmanship that goes into the process. Metzger said they aren’t just for anyone, but many people will be attracted to the intricate details.
“For miniatures, they’re big. You don’t just buy them randomly,” Metzger said.
One village and castle took approximately two months to complete.
Metzger loves all things Halloween and is currently building a castle with that holiday theme in mind. He is also working on a castle with a winter theme for the holidays.
The floral shop gives Metzger the space to be creative not only with his daily floral arrangements for the store, but with his many bits and pieces for his miniatures.
When his anxiety kicks in, which he freely admits he deals with, its bigger developments he turns his eyes toward.
To take a break and clear his mind, Metzger will take his camera or cellphone out on the streets and shoot photos of downtown Provo: the old architecture, the new developments, and the empty lots that have potential throughout the city.
Metzger also says he loves the happenings and architecture at The Shops at Riverwoods and gives kudos to those who have kept that imagination alive.
This is his passion. And now he is sharing it with the world.
“I’m all about modern buildings, but I love texture and architecture, too. I’m excited for new developments,” Metzger said.
Earlier this spring, Metzger took that enthusiasm and started a Facebook page, New Provo Developments, where he shares his photos and thoughts on developments, building and construction with the social media community.
He has invited those with interest in Provo growth and business to add their thoughts and wishes for the city. Metzger has gotten so good with his questions he has developers sharing site plans, floors plans and previously unannounced information.
The Facebook page has grown tremendously in just a few short months and currently touts more than 28,000 followers.
“I’m quite surprised people were interested,” he said. “I thought I’d get a few hundred, or maybe even just 10 of my good friends to follow.”
The interest in the Facebook page, and the reality that Provo, and Orem to the north, are synergistic with each other, has prompted Metzger to recently start a New Orem Developments page as well.
New Orem Developments is at about 230 followers and growing. What Metzger has found is people are truly interested in their town.
There are big dreams out there for Metzger, be it in miniature or real time.
“Provo is the face of the city I love,” he said. “It is so much more than some think it is. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.”
