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Alabama Gardening

Plant Odyssey NURSERY is closing....

ourhighlandhome

18 years ago

Here is the text of Libby's notice:

Dear Friends,

It is with sadness, yet relief, that I announce the closing of Plant Odyssey NURSERY -- not Plant Odyssey. My staff and I, with your help, gave it a good try, but it wasn't meant to be. Problems included lackluster sales, staffing issues, and most of all, the fact that I couldn't be in two places at once. What was I thinking? In any event, the 50% off sale starts this Friday, November 4, and will continue until all Nursery stock is sold. What does not sell will be moved back to Plant Odyssey. The Nursery will be closed until the sale starts Friday.

This leaves me with a wonderful piece of property that I dearly love, particularly the old building, which has historic status. Although I do not own it, I have a long term lease. I really don't want to abandon it, so if anyone is interested, please come by next week to discuss your ideas with me. I know with all of the creativity out there, something wonderful can happen.

Many of you met Evan Helton, the talented lady I hired as the Nursery manager. Evan is reopening her business, Ten Dirty Fingers and is available for consultations and installations. She did her very best to turn the Nursery around, and I am grateful to her. She is knowledgeable and experienced, and I recommend her services to you. Evan's number is 516-6004.

I thank you all for your love and support. Please don't be angry or disappointed with this setback. I look forward to being at Plant Odyssey as long as you'll have me.

Libby

Comments (3)

Dave_from_the_Hills
18 years ago
I'm very disappointed, because she had some really interesting things in stock -- many things that I would have mail ordered if she hadn't carried them. But I am happy for Libby if she is relieved. It really did seem like she was burning the candle at both ends trying to keep both places up and running. The nursery business must be really tough, especially in light of competition from the big box chains.
meadow_lark
18 years ago
Nelson,

I'm so sorry to hear about the nursery. I am in Huntsville, and within the past year, we have had two main nurseries close, and a third basically "sell out" to a garden furniture company.

Each one said they simply couldn't compete with HD and Lowe's. Sad, because all of my favorite plants have come from nurseries, and not from "chains".

Anyway - I'm sure those that bought from you appreciated you, and will miss you...

Will you please provide directions from I-65, north of Birmingham? I've never been south of Cullman, but I might be able to make a "speed run" this weekend.

Thanks... and best wishes...

Meadow Lark
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Great!!! That is incredible news. I went to both places on Friday after work, and they were packed with people. I only managed to buy a few herbs at Plant Odyssey... I needed more time at the Plant Odyssey Nursery. I wonder what ultimately will happen, now. Hopefully Libby's pleas brought in some new customers who will now return regularly to both places. Unfortunately, as the banker told her, she would probably be doing much better business if she wasn't on Southside. Not many people are in that area on the weekends when most people are out shopping for plants. And it's hard to shop there during the week, because the closing time is 5:30pm. Even if you scoot out of work early, that barely leaves any time to browse. Also, not opening on Sunday cuts into potential time for shopping as well. I know it's hard for these smaller nurseries to compete with the mega-stores that can stay open all of the time.
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alabamaandrea
18 years ago
Directions to Plant Odessey Nursery From I-65 Southbound:
Exit onto I 20/59 North/East.
Take the Carraway Blvd/31 South exit - stay to the right on 31 Southbound.
Exit at the 3rd/4th Avenue Exit.
Take a left at the end of the ramp and your first left onto 4th Avenue South. The nursery is 4 blocks down on the corner of 29th Street & 4th Avenue South.

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