Welcome to the first annual Lawn & Garden Retailer Merchandiser of the Year Award. We are introducing you to the first of three finalists (in no particular order): Smith's Acres in Niantic, Conn.
The unique thing about this garden center is it incorporates not only gardening materials in displays but produce as well. It has displays with holiday décor and apples or even a Christmas tree with banana tree accents around it.
We wanted to make sure you get the full feeling of what it is like at Smith's Acres when it comes to creativity, so we have printed the garden center's award submission essay as well as some pictures of the displays that made it a finalist. Take a look and see what you think because you will be the one voting on the final winner at the end of the year and we want to make sure you are as informed as possible. Enjoy Smith's Acres.
- Catherine Evans
A VERY VEGGIE CHRISTMAS
What do zucchinis and Christmas trees have in common? The only logical answer to that question is Smith's Acres, a unique garden center and farm stand in Niantic, Conn. At Smith's, every season provides a new opportunity for the staff to merchandise traditional products in a non-traditional way.
The Veggie Girls, the affectionate name given to employees, strive to incorporate plant material, garden gifts and even fresh produce into their imaginative displays, and this year was no exception. The plant material in the greenhouse inspired most of the display ideas for Christmas 2006.
Red and white. In one location [in the store] red poinsettias and euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost' plants were blended with colorful pots, red empire apples, traditional needlepoint stockings and, of course, a red bench for Santa to rest if he got tired. "Classic Christmas frosted with a twist - sounds like a holiday cocktail," was how one customer described the display.
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