08/28/2026
The ending of a chapter❤️
Deciding to close the shop has been both a very hard decision, and an easy decision. On one hand, I am going to miss the people. I swear the shop has a way of attracting the absolute best people that our area has to offer. It has become a fun lunch break escape, and a place to turn around a bad day. I will forever be grateful for the friends I have made from behind the counter. People who I had never met prior, who made visiting the shop part of their routine even if they didn’t have a spare inch for one more plant. I have gotten to know entire families. Their kids…their dogs….and of course whatever plants they’re growing (or killing🫣).
On the other hand. Once the decision to close the shop became a reality, a wave of relief and even some excitement followed. Prior to the shop, I had spent a few years working from home with a baby. I would try to balance baby and work all day, then end up working late into the night when my husband came home. Holy stress! As soon my youngest started pre-k, I was so ready to break out of here. I wanted routine, adults to talk to, and a clear division between work and home. That is what I got. But along with it came coming home late most nights, only to see the kids a few hours before bedtime. Also so much driving. I am looking forward to more time with my family, and the flexibility to create some “me time”.
Why???
As you may know, the business is very online orientated. This tends to happen with niche businesses. My top sellers online are not even found at the shop. They are cuttings, and small sought-after collector plants that I grow myself. I opened the shop knowing that even if the shop didn’t pull its weight, I would have Etsy to fall back on. Long story short….the shop is not consistently coming ahead enough to validate the time that goes into keeping the doors open. So much goes into trying to pull ahead of the shop, when the same profit could be made by cutting back, and working from home. Full force on Etsy, while still finding ways to be here for my customers. Me, the dogs, and the greenhouse 🫶
What’s next?
The shop is closing.
THE BUSINESS IS NOT CLOSING❤️ I will continue to sell online, and can be found on Etsy. Locals however do see much better prices and variety (compared to what’s on Etsy) . I will update more on potential locations the plants can be found, and farmers markets that I will be attending. Also “greenhouse pop-ups” may come back.
Following this post will be advertisements of the shop space. My lease is up in May. The shop very well could stay open until my lease runs up. I plan to continue business as usual and play this by ear🫶 (hence the incoming aquatic plants).
Also please don’t make this awkward 😂😂 I’ve told a few regulars about the closure, and they look at me horrified, and simply don’t know what to say. It is ok, and I am ok! I’m an open book. It’s ok to talk about this. It’s the reality of owning a small business, and It’s something I will always be 100% real about❤️
This is the Etsy link below! Again, I do not recommend locals order from here, but use it more as a reference. When it comes time for the shop to close, I will point locals in the direction of where to walk up and buy plants at “local prices”.
https://stemem.etsy.com
