Beloved Weyburn plant shop owner dies, leaving legacy of creativity and kindness

A beloved shop owner and champion of the Weyburn arts scene is being mourned.

Melanie Hiske was 49-years-old when she died on July 20. Hiske's family says her contributions to the community will be remembered for years to come.

The Hiske family moved to Weyburn seven years ago, but it wasn't until 2022 that Melanie opened her store Root Bound Plant Shop. It grew to be more than a plant store, as she added fashion and art into the mix.

"She really loved fashion, really loved everything vintage. She was very much an esthetic, colourful person. She put a lot of effort into everything she did," said Melanie's daughter Morgan Kelly, who sometimes worked at the store.

Melanie was diagnosed with a cancerous neuroendocrine tumour on April 16. Her husband Aaron Hiske said the survival expectation was about six months.

Melanie spent time in Regina until her pain management was under control. Aaron said she was able to be home in Weyburn, as she wished, until just days before her death.

"When she was diagnosed with being ill, she mentioned that she was very proud of what she's built and what she was able to do. And I was very proud of her store," said Aaron.

Aaron Hiske, Morgan Kelly and Max Hiske stand in Melanie Hiske's store Root Bound Plant Shop in Weyburn. Melanie died of cancer on July 20. (Shlok Talati/CBC )

Kelly said she wants people to remember her mother as someone who cared a lot about everything she did.

"If you came in here [to Root Bound], she'd definitely try to make you feel like you're welcome. I think that's why so many people supported the store. She was the store. She'd be your friend, even if she didn't know who you were at all."

A fixture in local arts scene

Melanie was also a big supporter of local artists and local art programming, volunteering many times for festivals and musical theatre productions, according to her family. Her husband Aaron said that her support of artists made its way into Root Bound.

"She had a really big focus on including local vendors and local artisans. So if you look around the store, you'll see all kinds of things there on display from people within a 30-mile radius of Weyburn," said Aaron.

Melanie Hiske is seen here in her plant and fashion shop in Weyburn. (Submitted by the Hiske family)

Aaron said Melanie was great at making an instant, genuine connection with someone.

"If you told her something about you, or your name, or your favourite food or something, she would remember that forever and she'd bring that up next time that she saw you.  And so it really made people feel special and part of something," said Aaron.

Aaron said Melanie was his best friend and the most special person he'd ever met.

"I just knew if I needed something, she was there, and if I didn't know that I needed something, she was there."

Root Bound Plant Shop in Weyburn officially closes its doors Aug. 31. (CBC News)

Closing Root Bound Plant Shop

Melanie's son Max Hiske said the family will never be the same.

"It's just her presence and everything that she did for for us and the family. I couldn't have asked for anything better," Max said.

He said his mother was only just getting to know people through Root Bound. He said she would have become even more beloved over time.

Meanwhile, the community has been pouring into the store to support the family as they hold a liquidation sale and prepare to close Root Bound for good Aug. 31.

"Lots support from people coming in both emotionally and spiritually," said Aaron.

"Many sad faces and lots of wet eyes after the last couple days. They're going to miss her dearly, as we are all going to miss her dearly."

Melanie Hiske with her husband Aaron Hiske. (Submitted by the Hiske family)