10 CapitalPress.com
August 19, 2016
Nurseries become destinations
By JANAE SARGENT
Capital Press
Independent garden cen-
ters are adopting the idea of
becoming “destination nurs-
eries” and offering classes,
events and community proj-
ects to set themselves apart
and compete with box stores.
Breanne Chavez, executive
director of the Washington
State Nursery and Landscape
Association, said nurseries
are positioning themselves
as a resource and community
partner to bring in new cus-
tomers and make shopping
more of an experience than
can be had at box stores.
By becoming a destina-
tion spot, garden centers have
begun offering instructional
classes, yoga classes, large-
scale social events and cafés
to engage community and get
new customers in the nursery
and interested in gardening.
Garland nursery in Cor-
vallis, Ore., is a well-regarded
destination nursery. Co-own-
ers Brenda Powell, Lee Powell
and Erica Powell-Kaminskas
said people come to their nurs-
ery to be happy and enjoy the
peaceful atmosphere.
Janae Sargent/Capital Press
Co-owners Brenda Powell and Erica Powell-Kaminskas operate
Garland Nursery with their brother and co-owner Lee Powell. The
idea of a destination nursery was started by their mother before
they took over.
Garland nursery offers a
rotating monthly class geared
toward plant care, regular
classes to engage children and
teach them to plant and holds
four to ive large events each
year that are open and free to
the public.
“Our events and classes
are intended to draw in peo-
ple who might not be cus-
tomers now but may want to
in the future. And when they
do, they will think of us,” Lee
Powell said.
Josh Zeilinski, Oregon
Association of Nurseries
executive committee vice
president, said he thinks des-
tination nurseries are a good
idea.
Zeilinski said changing
garden centers to destina-
tions will take a big shift in
mindset but that he sees a lot
of value, especially in bring-
ing in the millennial genera-
tion — those people now in
their 20s.
Chavez said one major de-
bate in the nursery industry is
how to bring young people in
and get them engaged in gar-
dening.
1”
12” or 16” Coverage
Loc Seam
36” Coverage
12”
1 1 ⁄ 4 ”
3’ PBR
CHOOSE YOUR SIZE
36” Coverage
9”
3’ Magna Rib
CUSTOMIZE YOUR DESIGN
3⁄4”
SALE White Magna Rib $1.55/LF
PRE-ENGINEERED STRUCTURES
See our website for additional profiles and products!
HOURS:
Mon. - Fri.
8:00 - 5:30
N16-4/#7
CALL FOR QUOTE!
www.metallionindustries.com
503-630-7740
Fax 503-630-7770
850 NW Park Avenue, Estacada, OR
N16-7/#7