In-demand event space

We’re always happy to hear from readers about their businesses, especially in response to our monthly Your Turn section.

In previous issues, we’ve discussed extensively the advantage of differentiating your garden center with events and services such as weddings and party hosting. Mattie Berbee, marketing and outreach director with Dutch Mill Greenhouse of Marysville, Ohio, emailed us about the robust special event services her IGC offers in response to our May prompt.

“Over the past few years, our classes have become very popular: everything from containers to fairy gardening,” Berbee says. “We have even started Gals in the Garden — a ladies’ night out. That success inspired us to start offering space rental for birthday parties, bridal showers, etc.”

Customers can rent out space at Dutch Mill Greenhouse for nearly any occasion, from graduation parties to bridal showers to birthdays. Berbee says the business is scheduled to host its first wedding over Labor Day Weekend.

“2017 has been our busiest year so far for special events with bridal showers and graduation parties,” Berbee says. “We get regular requests for space rental, and the biggest challenge is that everyone wants to use the space during the peak season of April and May — so we are working through that.”

Events at Dutch Mill also serve as a bridge between the garden center and local organizations in its community.

“The most successful group events we have had include a local realtor association holiday party, the county chamber of commerce annual dinner and local flower farmers annual meeting — [all] are the perfect [opportunity] to raise awareness of our business while they are here just having a good time,” Berbee says.

Remember to check the Home Page section for this month’s Your Turn prompt. We want to hear from you!