Quick takes!

New Jersey was the place to be June 13-16 as garden retailers from across the country gathered for Garden Centers of America’s 2011 Summer Tour. The multi-day event offered nonstop action and wheelbarrow-loads of ideas. Check out these “quick takes” with concepts you can put to use immediately.

Michigan will play host to next year’s GCA Summer Tour. Look for more details to be posted soon at www.gardencentersofamerica.org.

Reynolds Garden Shop :: www.reynoldsgardenshop.com
Reynolds places high value on curb appeal as a way to lure in customers. Lush displays highlight this company’s landscape design/build capabilities.

Garden Greenhouse & Nursery :: www.gardengreenhouse.net
This store wowed visitors with its charming Woodland Village—a collection of gift cottages scattered throughout the site’s lavish landscape. Most of the individual gift stores are owned by the Garden Greenhouse & Nursery, while a few are leased to other retailers.

Bob’s Garden Center :: www.bobsgardencenter.com
Bob’s got high marks for its fantastic displays and merchandising. A welcoming arbor turns a growing greenhouse into a retail showcase. Carefully chosen props added fun and whimsy to displays. A large marquee-style sign is prominently located in the middle of the plant yard to keep customers “in the know.”

Barlow Flower Farm :: www.barlowflowerfarm.com
Barlow Flower Farm left visitors awestruck with its lavish curb appeal. Inside, a fully stocked and well merchandised edibles section was extremely popular, along with vignette displays grouping plants based on “problem solving” capabilities.

Sickles Market :: http://sicklesmarket.com/
This store takes specialty retailing to a new level with its extensive selection of gourmet/specialty foods and quality plants. Customers struck up conversations with many of the retail visitors, describing how Sickles is “their” store. How’s that for loyalty?

Fairfield Garden Center :: http://fairfieldgardencenter.com/
Fairfield is one of the most successful water-gardening retailers in the country. Fantastic display gardens and water features are scattered throughout the plant yard. Inside, customers can get glimpse at how their pond could look at night in a special “dark room.”

Strawberry Blossom Home & Garden
Center :: www.strawberryblossom.com
This store uses simple, affordable techniques to make its displays pop. Old red wagons and colorful banners provide a focal point in the plant yard. The right color choice draws plenty of attention to the store’s grill area. Color blocking is used in pottery displays to attract customers.

Metropolitan Plant & Flower Exchange :: www.metroplantexchange.com
This store fully lives up to its tagline: “If it’s done with plants or flowers—we do it!” Visitors were awed by the store’s lush labyrinth of indoor foliage and accessories. Outdoors, eye-popping mixed containers and baskets tempted customers.
 

Dearborn Market :: www.dearbornmarket.com
Dearborn Market was praised for its merchandising. Signage was clean and consistent throughout the store, and all displays were well thought-out. But the store’s children’s garden (see more on page 46) stole the show with its kid-friendly planters.
 

Hall’s Garden Center :: www.hallsgarden.com
Hall’s is a plant-person’s paradise, with its extensive offering of deciduous ornamentals, rare conifers and unusual perennials. But it also makes itself a one-stop shop by carrying a large selection of tools, bagged goods and garden pharmacy items.

Williams Nursery :: www.williamsnursery.com
This nursery was universally praised for its shop-ability. Just one example: A perennials area cleverly organized by color to help customers plan their gardens. The store’s gift house received high marks for its eye-catching displays of top-quality merchandise.

The Farm at Green Village :: www.thefarmatgreenvillage.com
This store is practically a theme park for gardeners with its 32 acres of beautiful grounds, which include display gardens, animal enclosures and pond complete with swans and ducks.

Rutgers Landscape & Nursery :: www.rutgersln.com
Rutgers had visitors smiling with its sense of fun and whimsy. Giant Adirondack chairs, dog-friendly fixtures and cheeky signage made this a popular stop.