St. Louis IGC Opens Upscale Garden Cafe

St. Louis independent urban garden center Bowood Gardens recently opened an upscale restaurant, Cafe Osage, onsite. Owned and operated by Bowood, the garden cafe uses produce grown on the property, herbs grown on the rooftop and bison raised on the owner’s family farm. The restaurant, which has a view of a perennial courtyard, is open for breakfast and lunch. The menu consists of New American cuisine dishes, such as Thai roasted-veggie pizza, house-smoked trout and poached eggs served over arugula with prosciutto on crostini. Owner John McPheeter opened the garden center in April 2006 after 16 months of transforming the dilapidated building, originally an auto body garage.

Bachman’s Names Dale Bachman CEO, Barbara Bachman Released from Hospital

Bachman’s has named Dale Bachman Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer following the stabbing death of former CEO Todd Bachman during the Olympics in Beijing earlier this month. In addition, the board has elected Paul Bachman as President. Dale served as president since 1992, and Paul was vice president since 1992. Todd’s wife, Barbara, who was also injured in the attack, was discharged yesterday from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Her physician, Scott Zietlow, M.D., says, “Mrs. Bachman continues to make an extraordinary recovery from her injuries. I anticipate she will continue to progress in the weeks to come.”

Valent Acquires Green Light Company, Enters Consumer L&G Market

Valent U.S.A Corporation, a supplier of crop protection products for agricultural, turf and ornamental operations, is entering the consumer lawn and garden market with the acquisition of certain assets of Green Light Company, which offers self-branded insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers to consumers through L&G distributors and retailers. Valent will acquire all Green Light products, brands, registrations and intellectual property in the deal. The supply of Green Light products should not be interrupted during the transition, and all Green Light products will continue to be marketed under the current brands. Valent’s acquisition of Green Light Company is the latest in a series of moves toward the company’s expansion.

Official IGC Show 2008 Figures In: Attendance Up More than 30 Percent

Attendance at The Independent Garden Center Show is up more than 30 percent over last year, according to the official numbers, released just moments ago by the registration office. “First, the demand for exhibitor space – putting the expo at 160 percent the size of last year’s show – humbled us. Now this,” says Jeff Morey, Publisher of Nursery Retailer magazine and a producer of the show. “And it’s only up from here. We’re going to do it even bigger and better next year.” Cheryl Morey, Publisher of Garden Chic magazine and also a producer of the show, says, “We stepped out in faith, looking to the opportunities of growth that would come from the industry rallying together. Our prayers have been answered, tenfold.” Next year’s Independent Garden Center Show returns to Chicago’s Navy Pier August 18-20, 2009.

Hines Horticulture Files for Bankruptcy

Hines Horticulture is seeking bankruptcy protection from creditors to sell its assets. The company listed debt of as much as $500 million and assets of less than $50,000 in the Chapter 11 documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The company says it has agreed to the terms of an asset purchase agreement with an affiliate of Black Diamond Capital Management, which would serve as a “stalking horse bidder” for substantially all of the company’s assets during the sale process. The asset purchase agreement is subject to a number of conditions, including completion of due diligence and financing.

IGC Show Attendance Up 30 Percent After Second Day, Morning Keynote Reveals Key Findings of Gen X, Gen Y Consumer Research

Registration officials at The Independent Garden Center Show report attendance after the second day is up more than 30 percent over last year. “We’re hearing from attendees that this year’s educational conference - along with the widely expanded IGC vendor expo – was a big draw in deciding to come to the show this year,” says Jeff Morey, Publisher of Nursery Retailer and a producer of the event.

This morning’s conference keynote in Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom focuses on capturing higher sales from Gen X and Gen Y consumers. As the industry grapples with convincing these time-pressed consumers to get into gardening, new research sponsored by the show looks at ways IGCs can change the way they do business to capture these sometimes-elusive demographics. “Baby Boomers are aging, and IGCs’ primary demographic is moving toward Gen X and Gen Y. It is more important than ever for the industry to understand what these consumers want,” Morey says. “For independents to continue to succeed in the years to come, we must change the way we merchandise, market and sell. This research will help us get there.”

Some of the key findings of the research, “Gen X and Gen Y: What IGCs Need to Know to Profit from the New Gardener,” include:

- Sell to Couples - Conventional wisdom says we should target women, the primary gardening consumer among boomers. Not so with the younger set. Gen X and Gen Y couples are far more collaborative in their purchase decisions when it comes to gardening. In fact, the men are usually the ones out in the yard, digging in.

- Hook ‘Em with Veggie Gardening - It’s not just the hot trend making headlines - vegetable gardening is the gateway category that gets Gen X and Gen Y consumers into gardening for the first time. Their strong wellness mindset drives the interest: “If I grow it myself, it’s better for me.”

- DIY with an Eye Toward Instant Impact - Gen X and Gen Y homeowners hire professional lawn services for mowing and fertilizing, but they prefer to do their own planting. The key is to make it easy for them. These consumers, many with young families, don’t have a lot of time to spend, figuring out how to do it themselves.

The full research report is available for purchase for $395 by calling 727/724-0020 or writing to 2430 Estancia Blvd., Suite 100, Clearwater, FL 33761. The earnings will be applied toward sponsoring future industry research missions.

Standing Room Only at Kansas Concert, IGC Show Registration Checks In with Record Attendance

It was standing room only when Kansas took the stage last night following The Independent Garden Center Show’s networking reception, sponsored by Monrovia Growers and Home & Garden Showplace. The crowd, numbering about 1,000, took in such classics as “Dust in the Wind” as they celebrated the opening of the show at Chicago’s Navy Pier. IGC Show registration is reporting record attendance this year, saying they will release the official figures soon.

IGC Show Pre-registration Up 20 Percent, Bordine Keynote Kicks Off Exhibitor Expo

Organizers of The Independent Garden Center Show, happening now at Chicago’s Navy Pier, report pre-registration figures are up 20 percent over last year. During the hour leading up to the official opening of the exhibitor expo earlier today, Corey Bordine energized the crowd of 800-plus attendees with his keynote, “Stop Talking About It, Do It! The Top 15 Things IGCs Should Do.” Among the bold statements he used to challenge the audience: "Stop blaming the weather, and get to improving your practices instead!" Following the keynote, the trade show opened its doors to more than 860 IGC vendor booths. Starting the event tomorrow morning, Urban Outfitters President and Chairman Dick Hayne and Terrain Managing Director John Kinsella will reveal plans to acquire 50 leading IGCs nationally. The exclusive keynote discussion, led by Nursery Retailer Publisher Jeff Morey, begins at 8:45 a.m. in Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom.

IGC Show Bus Tour Visits Four Chicagoland Standouts

This morning, as exhibitors were busy setting up their booths in preparation of The Independent Garden Center Show’s opening tomorrow, attendees loaded four buses for the sold-out IGC Bus Tour conducted by GCA. This year, the tour visits four trend-setting garden centers in and around Chicago: Alsip Home & Nursery Super Store, Sid’s Home & Garden Showplace, Platt Hill Nursery and City Escape Garden Center. Mid-afternoon, it makes a stop for lunch at Henri Studio’s new design center. Tomorrow, The IGC Show opens with a series of workshops, beginning at 10 a.m. inside Chicago’s Navy Pier.

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