Cha-ching! (9-13)

As garden centers look to add new profit centers -- and as customers grow increasingly techno-savvy -- many retailers have begun to sell plants online.

Pesche's in Des Plaines, Ill., not only gives its customers that option, it gives them ample reasons to take that route. Want to celebrate a birthday with flowers? How about a wedding? New baby? And, of course, there's the venerable "just because," which pretty much makes online flower buying a viable option any day, any time.

To be sure, the third-generation business still hangs its hat on attentive service, expert advice and uncompromising quality. But giving a new generation of customers a new generation of shopping choices helps establish Pesche's as a "happening" garden center.

And "happening" generally happens to be good for lots of "Cha-ching!"

Looking for a Cha-ching! you might have missed? Go to the search box and type Cha-ching! Items are listed by date.