Waitsburg garden center is a dream come true

WAITSBURG-In just a few minutes of conversation with siblings Doug Biolo and Janet Laurence, it becomes clear that their new business is truly a labor of love. Nancy's Dream Garden Center, located at 503 W. 2nd Street, in Waitsburg, was born in memory of their mother, Nancy Aronson, who passed away in September.

"Mom always wanted a garden center, but this is more than she would ever have dreamed," Laurence said.

While the first big shipment of plants isn't due for another couple of weeks, the doors are open and customers are welcome to stop in and check things out. Though the expansive greenhouse is largely bare, a few shelves already hold vibrant annuals, hearty succulents, garden tools and amendments.

"This is the soft-soft opening," Biolo said, laughing. "The medium opening is in two weeks and the grand opening will be the weekend of May 10-11," he added.

By then, the owners expect the greenhouse to be stocked with 150 hanging baskets and large planted pots.

Marvin and Nancy Aronson originally purchased the property, which has a history of being used for commercial business, under the impression that it was commercially zoned. Marvin's plans to run a post-retirement hobby auto and equipment repair shop were put on hold when he learned the property was zoned residential.

It took the better part of a year, but the property was eventually rezoned to allow the proposed business. Then Marvin was injured, and plans were once again set aside.

"A garden center was always part of the plan," Laurence said. "Mom always wanted to sell flowers. She assumed it would be a couple of roll-away flower stands out front, that would be available for three months of the year," she added.

Instead, Biolo and Laurence have built a 20' X 48' greenhouse and hope to be open year-round.

Biolo grew up here but has lived in the Portland area for the last 17 years. When he came home for Nancy's funeral, he and Laurence began talking about starting a garden center and the spark was lit.

"I went back and gave my two weeks' notice. I love being outdoors and I knew this is what I wanted to do," Biolo said.

For Biolo, the garden center is a full-time commitment. Laurence, who works full-time as a nurse, calls it her "hobby."

Other family members chip in as well. Laurence's son, Mark Leroue, does the bookkeeping and will help with sales, and sister Michelle Aronson takes care of social media.

Biolo says they plan to get creative in making the garden center a year-round business. Biolo will craft birdhouses and they will carry Christmas trees and poinsettias. They also hope to carry yard art and ornaments by local crafters, flower pots, and possibly antiques in the future.

Standard offerings will include annuals, perennials, vegetables, garden tools and amendments.

Local grower Lorrie Bensel of Verdurous Gardens will provide vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, kale, cabbage, broccoli, herbs, cucumbers.

"We're going to try to have anything you might need to work in your yard. If someone wants something special, they can let us know and we will order it in," Laurence said.

The greenhouse structure was a kit, but Biolo raised it three feet and added extra support. He said the large timbers that serve as the base and that surround the doorways were reclaimed from an old train storage building that was torn down on 6th Street.

"I left some of the joints, because I think that's neat," he said. "There's a little story behind it. Something a little local."

Laurence's nursing experience came into play in modifying the green house doorway to make it wheelchair accessible. A ramp will make the office ADA accessible and greenhouse aisles have been kept wide to allow for easy access.

Laurence said that two busses of seniors from Booker Nursing Home plan to visit on April 18. Seniors will decorate pots ahead of time and Waitsburg gardener Gayle Broom will be on hand to help with plant selection and planting.

"It's our goal to be community-involved, to be able to hold or sponsor smaller events and be involved with the community," Biolo said.

Laurence said there are also plans for preschoolers to visit and a class to make mosaic flower pots is in the works.

"We've even had someone ask about holding a wedding party here," Laurence said.

The owners would like to see the garden center becomes a sort of community gathering-spot. Biolo wants to build a seating area with a fire pit and benches toward the back and Laurence plans to have coffee and cookies available.

"Everyone who has stopped in has been really nice and the response has been very positive," Biolo said.

Keep updated on new happenings and arrivals at the Nancy Dream Garden Facebook page or stop in and say hello.