Feb 12, 2014
The Best Worst WinterBy pmihalek

Last week when our February issue reached the masses, my former garden center boss in Cleveland sent me this text: “Wish I was in your front cover. Looks great right about now. I’m over this winter.” Can I get an AMEN? (Check out the cover here.)

When she sent that, the weather in Cleveland was a balmy 15 degrees or so — similar to what much of the country has been dealing with this winter. And despite the crazy low temps and unyielding snow and ice storms, she added that she has a good feeling about spring and expects customers to beat down the doors once the weather breaks.

If you ask me (and why would you ask a guy in Phoenix about the winter?), I think this is the best, worst winter a locally-owned garden center can ask for.

Do you share that same feeling? Has this winter got you down … or pumped up?

NOLA Knows

A couple weeks back, I attended AmericanHort’s personalized and informative Next Level event in New Orleans. I put aside a couple hours one afternoon, grabbed a rental car and popped in at five IGCs in and around the Big Easy. Click here to check out a few retail photos from my trip on our Lawn & Garden Retailer Facebook page. And if you haven’t “liked” us yet, please do so. Then whenever I post new pics from any and all of my IGC visits, you’ll be (one of) the first to know.

Enthusiastically,

Pete


pmihalek