Northern grown, northern bred

Beier’s Greenhouse in Grand Rapids, Minn., has certainly changed since it opened its doors back in 1957. But the business remains committed to providing “plants grown in the North, for the Northern gardener.” Bonnie Stotts, the youngest daughter of founders Melvin and Lucy Beier, purchased the garden center in 1977. Over the years she has seen first-hand the evolution of the garden-retail business.

“The most significant change is most definitely the trend to container planters and patio gardening,” Stotts said. “I believe the customers of today live a very different lifestyle than the way my parents and their customers did. Everything has gone into high gear. The customers’ wants are much more demanding. Many know what they want because of the wonderful magazines and gardening shows that inspire them. So we have to be ready to meet those customers’ expectations and also come up with fresh ideas. My parent’s customers were satisfied much more easily. But the common thread with the old and the new is their love for gardening.”

GARDEN CENTER: How are you using container-gardening parties to build business at your store?
BONNIE STOTTS: We’re so excited about our planting parties. They began last year after I read about a similar program in Garden Center (July 2009). We couldn’t believe the positive response we received!

Customers can reserve time for a party on Wednesday mornings or Thursday evenings. Partygoers get personalized attention from one of our container gardening experts. The registration fee is $7, and participants can either bring their own container or buy one from us. The only plants they pay for are the ones they use.

We’re using this as a tool to help our customers get individual attention and assist them in making flower selections. We’re showing them how many more flowers they can use in their container planting, and also offering ideas for their gardens. Of course this will boost our sales, and it is a win-win situation. We love our customers, and they know it.

GC: How has your husband helped the garden center grow?
BS: Because my husband [Blake] is also a building contractor, he has brought many improvements to our greenhouse—starting with building a new area for mixing all of our soil and filling our planting containers. He took a bunch of old equipment and turned it into a one-man operation for filling flats. In the past it took three to five people to get this job done.

Blake also built a huge perennial garden in honor of my mother, who passed away three years ago. It is beautiful, and I’m positive my mother is watching over it from above. The first year we planted it, the plants flourished and are always gorgeous. The customers love this area, and it has given them ideas for Memorial Gardens of their own. He has really brought new life into an already wonderful business.

GC: What store improvements have you made recently?
BS: We’ve expanded our shopping area, making wider aisles and adding more area to display our beautiful plants. We have also expanded our gift area, and we’re getting huge compliments on all the new, fun items we are offering our customers. We will continue to expand this area. We’re also in the process of making a pergola for our front entrance. And we hope to rebuild some of our older greenhouses after this season, if our funds will allow.

GC: Why did you add heirloom seeds to your merchandise mix?
BS: Well, last fall two of my employees went with my husband and me to a buying show. On the way we found out that Seed Savers Exchange—a nonprofit group that specializes in heirloom seeds—wasn’t far out of the path, so we took a little detour. Of course we fell in love with the place, and I went nuts picking out heirloom plants to bring home and try for our customers.

GC: Tell us about your mission trip to Honduras. What was that like?
BS: We went with a group of 12 people that God just seemed to pull together. Each of the participants paid their own way—so all the money raised through the churches that provided funds went directly to helping the Honduras citizens. There was no middle man or organization that had paid staff. Every cent of money was taken down by us and was used to buy materials and supplies to build homes. We had enough funds to build homes for two families complete with the bano (outdoor toilet) and a pila (the outdoor shower and clothes-washing area). We also built pilas for two widowed ladies.

These people were all so grateful for what had been provided to them. When you see people who have nothing and you’re able to help provide shelter for them, it is a humbling experience. I’m thankful God provided this opportunity for my husband and me. It is our goal to do a mission trip every year. We may try to lead a group ourselves and find people just like us who just want to help. God definitely has provided us with the connections, so we will see what happens.


GC: What do you typically do during your rare day off?
BS: In my free time I love to go to our cabin and fish with my husband. It’s great when I get a chance to relax, watch old movies and read a good book. 
 
I also love to travel; see new places and experience different cultures. I have a goal to travel around the world! I enjoy walks and spending time with my family—shopping with my daughter is always a treat. I also like to try new recipes.

Learn more about the goings-on at Beier's Greenhouse on it's website: http://www.beiersgreenhouse.com/ and its blog: http://www.beiersgreenhouseandnursery.blogspot.com/