Cha-ching! (3-24)

Buchanan's Native Plants in Houston, Texas, got some unexpected Cha-ching! in 2010. Owner Donna Buchanan said her region had great weather very early, prompting many customers to buy plants and head to the garden ahead of schedule.

Enter Old Man Winter, with one last freeze, and all those folks who bought a first batch of plants had to buy a second when their predecessors took a beating from the cold. "We were lucky from a business perspective," Buchanan said. "We basically had two selling seasons."

Because a retailer can't count on that kind of boost from Mother Nature very often -- how often can a retailer count on any kind of help from her? -- Buchanan's has put in place a number of intriguing projects to make sure the store is top-of-mind with customers. Its Gardener's Reward program, sign-up for which is free, gives members an array of savings opportunities throughout the year. This Saturday, the company will host H-town strEATs, a catered lunch eaten outdoors on -- get this -- the same outdoor furniture the store sells. And Buchanan's calendar of events is full of practical and fun options for gardeners of many types.

The bottom line: Whether or not there's weather or not, Buchanan's will have ample opportunities to hear Cha-ching! all spring long.

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