Cha-ching! (1-11)

Green Mamas Organic Garden Center in North Richland Hills, Texas, was green before green was cool. Established nearly two decades ago on a small patch of land that once housed a hardware store, Green Mama's was the first retail store in its region to serve the three niches of birding, water gardening and organics.

It's that third realm where the store has really picked up traction -- especially recently, as many customers (and not just their's) have turned an eye toward saving the planet. Owners Doug and Cindee Ross offer many plants and accessories found elsewhere, but the store's history gave it a head start on the competition in the organic arena.

"Everyone is 'greener' than they used to be," said Cindee. "That's good for us."

The store uses its indoor showroom to merchandise a wide range of items that are natural in nature. Its birding and nature section has feeders and habitats, along with all the ancillary items that appeal to the natural visitors of the area, and the store's management carries the "nature-riffic" theme to its plant yard by designating which plants are best for attracting certain birds, butterflies and the like.

Then there are the upkeep products, items such as plant food, fertilizers and pest repellents -- all natural in formulations. "Everything in this building is made naturally," Cindee says. "And once the plants get here, everything we do to nurture them involves natural products. Our customers wouldn't have it any other way."

And now, thanks to the growing momentum of the "green movement" societal-wide, there are more customers at Green Mama's. Cha-ching!