Cool happenings
I’m on countless garden centers’ email lists and am constantly inspired by all the amazing things you are doing! Miller Flowers Greenhouse & Garden Center, in the western Ohio city of Greenville, recently added a new event to their repertoire: a Supper Club. Held on Feb. 13, the event was promoted as a “Supper Club (Galentine’s Style) to bring the community together and to offer a space to make new friends and spend time with your loved ones.”
Several local vendors provided soup and salad, dinner, mocktails and dessert. For $75 admission, the night also included a spring fashion show, DIY body scrub making, a heart topiary planter bar and a $10 voucher to spend in-store that evening.
They have another supper club scheduled for the spring, as well as a Solar Eclipse Watch Party on April 8, when a lucky swath of the country will experience a total solar eclipse. Events scheduled throughout the day include a Come & Go Workshop: Plant a Colors of the Night Sky Pansy Container and a contest to win a monstera ‘Thai Constellation’ — two clever celestial tie-ins.
Also in Ohio, Scheiderer Farms Garden Center near Columbus introduced Sunshine Hours on their social media channels: “One of our favorite things about the greenhouse is that we can get out and enjoy the sunshine and warm temperatures long before we normally can outdoors. …You are free to walk, sit and relax, read a book, visit with a friend, or even take a nap if you are feeling sleepy. Bring a lawn chair, book, cup of coffee, friend or even a pillow! No need to sign up, just pop in, replenish your vitamin D and enjoy!”
A great way to bring in new and returning customers, Sunshine Hours take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on select sunny days and are announced on their social channels.
Still Time to Nominate
The 2024 Lawn & Garden Retailer Innovator Awards will once again recognize garden centers that elevate the customer experience in progressive ways. Nominations can come from garden centers themselves or other industry professionals, including suppliers and consultants. Nominations went live on March 1. Find all the details at lgrmag.com/innovators.
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