Biz Buzz: Local garden center relocates after 31 years of business - East Idaho News
Biz Buzz

Biz Buzz: Local garden center relocates after 31 years of business

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Do you want to know what’s happening on the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered.

Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.

BIZ BRIEF

AMMON

Sunnyside Gardens opens new location in Ammon

retail greenhouse
New greenhouse at Sunnyside Gardens includes 9,000 square feet of retail space for annual bedding plants | Courtesy photo

AMMON – A garden center that’s done business in Idaho Falls for 31 years has relocated to a new location in Ammon.

Sunnyside Gardens officially opened at 3240 E. Sunnyside Rd. Feb. 4 on a 5-acre parcel. The new property includes 4,000 square feet of retail space and another 9,000 square feet of retail greenhouse space.

Though the old location at 2366 E. Sunnyside Rd. had more acreage, Aaron McCracken, the owner, tells EastIdahoNews.com their new store accommodates future growth and traffic flow.

“We started very small (at our old location) and added buildings and additions onto the store (as needed). It’s been nice to know what we needed down there and be able to build it into one facility with room to grow,” McCracken says.

The retail greenhouses at the old property were divided into two buildings, McCracken says, which made customers flow in two different directions.

The new spot also includes eight production greenhouses, an entrance more accessible to traffic and a paved parking lot.

Sunnyside Gardens is a full-service garden center that caters to the do-it-yourself homeowner. One of the more popular items sold is annual bedding plants, but vegetables, trees, shrubs, soil, and a full array of fertilizers and seeds are also offered.

“Everything you need to create a landscape, grow flowers or a garden yourself,” McCracken says.

One thing that sets Sunnyside Gardens apart from competing businesses is the plant material that is grown on-site, according to McCracken. This allows them to cater to the local growing environment.

The majority of customers at Sunnyside Gardens are middle-aged homeowners, but McCracken says he’s seen an increasing number of millennials in recent years.

“As they purchase homes for the first time, there’s a large interest in house plants, growing indoors, and just the health benefits that come from digging in the dirt and working with plant material,” says McCracken.

Sunnyside Gardens is open year-round, but 80 percent of their business happens between mid-April and mid-June during growing season. Seasonal items like Christmas trees and pumpkins attract customers as well.

McCracken purchased Sunnyside Gardens from his father, Kevin, last year after his dad decided to retire.

The old building, which has been operating since 1987, is now vacant and listed for sale.

Aaron says he grew up helping his father with the business and is now excited to begin a new chapter in Ammon watching the business grow with his family.

“It’s been a great way to make a living for our families. Now I have young kids who are starting to help out here and there,” McCracken says. “Many people have enjoyed doing business with my father over the years and we hope to keep the same core values and customer service everyone’s been used to going into the next generation.”

McCracken is planning an open house next month and a grand opening in April. The exact dates have not yet been determined.

Sunnyside Gardens is currently open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The closing time will be expanded to 7 p.m. during the spring growing season.

BIZ BITS

Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel opening Wednesday

FORT HALL – After undergoing an expansion project, Shoshone-Bannock Hotel is opening its doors to the public Wednesday. The hotel is holding an opening ceremony Wednesday morning. Members of the community will tour the new facility, which include an additional 85,000 square feet of space for the casino on the west side of the building. A welcome ceremony and ribbon cutting will immediately follow the press conference at 9 a.m. EastIdahoNews.com is attending the opening day festivities and will post a more in-depth story soon.

New assisted living center in Idaho Falls now accepting applications for residents and employees

IDAHO FALLS – Gables Assisted Living Center is opening its sixth eastern Idaho location in Idaho Falls March 11. Desi Richards, the facility’s marketing director, tells EastIdahoNews.com the building has 39 rooms and can comfortably house up to 50 residents. If you have a loved one who needs living assistance, Richards invites you to come take a tour of the building. To learn more, call (208) 524-3629. EastIdahoNews.com will post a story soon.

New hatchet throwing business opening in Rexburg

REXBURG – Since the Singing Waffle closed its doors last June, many people have wondered what’s happening to the vacant building. Heber Hatchets, an axe throwing venue, recently purchased the space at 157 North Second East. They’re currently renovating the building and hope to open sometime next month. The same company is opening another location in Pocatello as well. EastIdahoNews.com is planning a follow-up and will post more information when it is available.

BIZ BUGS

VALENTINE’S DAY CHECKLIST

Things to watch out for this Valentine’s Day

The following is a news release from the Better Business Bureau.

Valentine’s Day is just a day away, and many people have already done their shopping for that special someone. There are two big things to remember when shopping this Valentine’s Day.

First, be sure to research the seller. Whether you are shopping online or going into an actual store. Look them up online and read reviews. You can go to bbb.org and see what their business profile says. In the end, just make sure you know who you are doing business with.

And second, avoid making those last-minute purchases. Now is the time to start placing orders or heading into the store to find a gift. When you give yourself enough time to shop, you can get a better deal in some cases, and feel more confident about your purchase. Shopping from what’s left is often stressful.

BBB knows flowers are one of the most popular gifts on this day. Nationally we receive around 2,000 to 3,000 complaints about retail florists each year. These complaints vary from late delivery to the flowers themselves not looking like what was advertised. That can be a common problem especially if you are ordering your flowers online. BBB’s suggestion is to, use a local florist you are familiar with or has a good presence in your area.

For those who may not have their own Valentine, BBB sees an increase in online dating scams this time of year. Most romance scams start with fake profiles on online dating sites created by stealing photos and text from real accounts or elsewhere. Scammers often claim to be in the military or working overseas to explain why they can’t meet you in person. Over a short period of time, the scammer builds a fake relationship with you, exchanging photos and romantic messages, even talking on the phone or through a webcam.

Just when the relationship seems to be getting serious, your new sweetheart has a health issue or family emergency or wants to plan a visit. No matter the story, the request is the same: they need money. But after you send money, there’s another request, and then another. Don’t let yourself become a victim.

BBB wants to make sure everyone has a wonderful Valentines Day, and feel confident in your Valentine’s day purchases or online dating.

The Better business bureau has a number of resources to help protect you and your money. Click here to learn more.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Local restaurant invites customers to a party and surprises them with free food for a year

Ammon businesses will save $39 a month as city switches to new sanitation company

Shopko announces 70 percent of stores will close, including one in east Idaho

Local college hosting occupational safety training course next month

If you have a Biz Buzz item you want to share, send it to rett.nelson@eastidahonews.com. Remember to use “Biz Buzz” in the subject line. Also, don’t forget to sign up for the free Biz Buzz email newsletter.

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