Month: May 2020

We’ve compiled a list of Grand Rapids, MI greenhouses to make your shopping — and new discoveries easier.

Grand Rapids greenhouses and garden centers are one of the highlights of my summer. Perhaps that’s because we think Michigan summers are the BEST, and one of our favorite things to do is shopping at and discovering, locally owned Grand Rapids nurseries and garden centers. Sometimes it can be hard to find new places, so we’ve made a list for you, please feel free to post comments with additional suggestions.

As of Friday, April 24, the restrictions on garden stores under Governor Whitmer’s State Executive Order were lifted. While this was exciting for consumers and small business owners alike, it also came as a surprise. We reached out to Grand Rapids area nurseries and garden centers like Flowerland, Ludema’s and Koetsier’s and discovered that they all seemed to have the same message for their beloved and green-thumbed patrons: “We are elated to serve you again, and are back up to speed, please come see us.”

With the surprise reopening, a lot of demand was put on both suppliers and the workforce — greenhouses had limited staff and resources in order to help their business and plants survive during the economic freeze. For those of you with college-kids home, many of these places are still hiring for summer help. 

Thanks to Matt Teliczan of Telidrone for the drone photo of Flowerland on 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Greenhouses are allowing a set number of people in their garden centers at a time to minimize the possible risk of COVID-19 transmission. In addition, highly trafficked areas are being frequently sanitized for consumer and employee safety. A 6-foot standing distance and proper face-mask usage are also required. Many places also have over-the-phone order placement and payment available for curbside pickup. 

To make your quest to find the best Grand Rapids area nursery and garden center, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorites, along with notes about how they are protecting their employees and customers from COVID-19 (we’ve only made notes for places where we, or someone we know, has experienced the procedures they have in place). One of our favorite summer adventures is shopping for plants. Please leave a note in the comments if you have other places you would recommend and we will add them to our list.,

Flowerland Grand Rapids Locations
616.532.5934 / 765 28thSt., Wyoming, MI 49509
616.784.0542 / 3801 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321
616.942.5321 / 4321 28thSt. SE, Kentwood, MI 49512
COVID-19 NOTES: employees are wearing masks and customers are requested to wear masks too, along with social distancing.
Comments: When I want to make sure that I’m going to find everything I need in one trip, this is my go-to place.

NE Grand Rapids Greenhouse: Knapp Valley Landscaping
616.363.8086,
4100 Knapp St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

NE Grand Rapids Greenhouse: Romence Gardens & Greenhouses
(616) 451-8214
265 Lakeside Dr NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
COVID-19 NOTES: carts are cleaned after each use, employees are wearing masks and customers are requested to wear masks too, along with social distancing.
Comments: I shopped here today, they have a great variety of annuals and perennials, this place is another of my favorites.

Belmont Greenhouse: SH Greenhouses
616.874.3203
4525 Cannonsburg Rd. NE,
Belmont, MI 49306

NW Grand Rapids Greenhouse: Andy Mast Greenhouses
877.927.1151
1534 Pannell NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

SE Grand Rapids Greenhouse: Bos Greenhouses
616.949.0407
1674 Spaulding SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

SE Grand Rapids Greenhouse: Huizenga Brothers Greenhouse
616.245.7409
3055 Eastern Ave. SE,
Grand Rapids, MI 49508

SE Grand Rapids Greenhouse: Koetsiers Greenhouse
616.949.7299  or 616.956.1526
1601 Spaulding Ave. SE,
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

SE Grand Rapids Greenhouse: Ludema’s Greenhouse
616.452.2961
3408 Eastern Ave. SE,
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Comments: this is another favorite that I go to with my mom every year. They have wonderful plants that are great quality and quite a few unique options too.

Ada Greenhouse: Thornapple River Nursery
(616) 676-0102
8080 28th St SE
Ada, Michigan 49301
Comments: if you need mulch, they have a wonderful, unique composted leaf mulch. Once you use it, you won’t want anything else.

Middleville Greenhouse: Creekside Growers
(269) 795-7674
10197 W Garbow Rd,
Middleville, Michigan
COVID-19 NOTES: employees are wearing masks and customers are required to wear masks too, along with social distancing, hand sanitizer is also available.
Comments: I shopped here last week and was impressed with the quality, unique plants available.

Middleville Greenhouse Cherry Valley Gardens
(269) 795-8811
6900 N M-37 Hwy
Middleville, Michigan 49333

Lowell Greenhouse: Snow Avenue Greenhouse
616.897.0057
3295 Snow Ave. SE,
Lowell, MI 49331

Hudsonville Greenhouse: JW Succulents
616-422-6767
4545 New Holland Street
Hudsonville, MI 49426
Comments: I’ve not been here yet, but have heard wonderful things about this place.

Hudsonville Greenhouse: WW Greenhouses
(616) 669-0134
4044 Chicago Dr
Hudsonville, Michigan 49426

Allendale Greenhouse: Countryside Greenhouse
616.895.5000
9050 Lake Michigan Dr.,
Allendale, MI 49401
COVID-19 NOTES: employees are wearing masks and customers are required to wear masks too, along with social distancing, hand sanitizer is also available. I’ve heard from quite a few people that they are impressed with how Countryside is keeping their customers safe.
Comments: Countryside is enormous and is known for great pricing and an excellent variety.

NW Grand Rapids Greenhouse: Mottman’s Greenhouses
616.677.1525 
0-2617 River Hill Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49534
COVID-19 NOTES: I’ve heard from friends that employees and customers have not been wearing masks or social distancing here.

Kalamazoo Greenhouse: River Street Flowerland
269.342.9207
1300 River St., Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Comments: every year my mother and I make the hour long trek to this greenhouse. They have an amazing variety of classics and unique plants.

Caledonia Greenhouse: Apols Water Gardens
616-698-1030
9430 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Caledonia, MI 49316
Comments: this is my go-to place for water gardens. I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.

ARTICLE BY RHIANNON HUDSON

Local, Fresh, Safe Curbside Grocery Pickup at Louise Earl Butcher on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids If you’re looking for meat in Grand Rapids, there’s no shortage at my favorite butcher. Louise Earl Butcher, in the heart of the Wealthy Street neighborhood, is remaining open as a necessary business during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have supplied Grand Rapids locals and Michigan restaurants alike with fresh, quality meats, dairy and groceries for four years. Normally, in addition to the made-from-scratch fresh sausages, smoked deli meat free-range eggs, and all-natural cuts from lamb, beef, pork and chicken, they also host dinner parties, themed butcher dinners and classes on terrine and sausage making, butchering and more. They supply some specialty items such as offal, or organ meat, for special recipes and occasions, which are used for anything from liver-burgers to raw-diets for beloved pets. They often supply pickled snacks such as cornichons and peppadews, deli items like potato and kale salads and baked items as well. They are recently featuring family-style meals prepared in house and often have a featured produce selection, which can be verified via the Louise Earl Facebook or Instagram page.

Louise Earl Butcher also features a wonderful selection of carefully curated foods, many of them locally sourced. (photo by Rhiannon Hudson)

Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, the butcher shop is currently offering curbside pick up. Patrons may call the shop to place an order. Louise Earl Butcher staff will call back once weight and price are totaled for your grocery list, at which point you may pay over the phone with a credit card. Upon arrival, guests are encouraged to call the shop number (calls are often made out from employee personal numbers to facilitate an open line for the shop’s landline), and an employee will run outside to drop off the order on a table outside. While Louise Earl Butcher is unable to currently host people inside to look at the beautiful case display, they are happy to bring groceries outside, and without physical contact, in order to ensure safe and responsible social distancing measures.

Meat and eggs are sourced from farms within 60 miles of the shop and are visited weekly by the owners and staff for pick up. It is clear upon visiting and interacting with Louise Earl Butcher that they are diligent, thorough, and care about their community. 

Here are some of the ways you can check them out!

·      Website: https://louiseearlbutcher.com

·      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouiseEarlButcher/

·      Instagram: LouiseEarlButcher

·      Address: 1106 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI

·      Phone: 616.930.3602

#grlocal #grfresh #covid-19necessarybusinessopen #curbsidepickupgrocerygr

PHOTOS AND ARTICLE BY RHIANNON HUDSON

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