California
An entrepreneur in Southern California has built a lot of buzz about his Christmas tree rental business, The New York Times reported. To rent a tree, a customer visits Scott Martin’s Web site, livingchristmas.com, picks out a tree and then awaits delivery. Delivery days are determined by geography, to save time and gas. Prices range from $50, for a two-to-three-foot number, up to $185 for something bigger.
Maine
Phil Roberts, owner of Broadway Gardens Greenhouses in South Portland, was recently interviewed for the Portland Press Herald. Roberts is the third generation of the family to run the business.
Massachusetts
Sixteen Acres Garden Center in Springfield, Mass., donated $500 to the Toy for Joy campaign, MassLive.com reported. “We are very happy to do it,” said Judith A. Bordenuck, one of five family members who own the business. “We haven’t donated in the past few years, but after seeing the need, this year especially, we decided to help out.”
New Jersey
Bloomers Home & Garden Center in Sewell, N.J., has served the community for more than 20 years, CourierPostOnline.com reported. The center at the corner of Hurffville-Cross Keys and Fish Pond roads has been the go-to place for residents of Washington Township and surrounding neighborhoods for more than two decades.
Nevada
Keeping customers interested year-around is one of David Ruf's secrets to success for Greenhouse Garden Center, which will celebrate 36 years of operation in April, Nevada Appeal reported. “Like everyone else, we go through down times. People don't have to buy flowers, but it's one of the biggest pick-me-ups,” Ruf said. He credits his staff for much of his business' success.
Texas
The land that has served as Teas Nursery’s home in Bellaire, Texas, since 1843 will be purchased by the Jerry and Maury Rubenstein Foundation. The Bellaire Examiner reported that the foundation purchased the five-acre tract at 4400 Bellaire Blvd. for an undisclosed amount in order to preserve the site from redevelopment.
Send your submissions for Garden Center’s regional roundup to smartinez@gie.net.