Don't Take My Word For It --- Go To Wilsey Nursery Fairhope To Enjoy the Gardening "Experience" There are very few gardening retailers in the Alabama Gulf Coast area that consider terms like "ambiance," "mood," "experience;" Wilsey Nursery, located at 13477 Cty Rd 27 off Hwy 98, seems to be in a category of its own. Owner Wanda Brown intentionally planned things this way when she took over her father's business in 1993."This nursery is located on what was originally a homeplace," she explains. She points to an area shaded by giant live oaks saying "then when this became the garden center, the home was moved there." It is clear that the "feeling" of an original homeplace remains somewhere in her spirit in the way the petite Brown arranges her plants for display. Wherever you look there are suggested vignettes complete with water feature, hardscape, ornamentation and a grouping of plants for sale. "It's like a Disneyworld for gardeners," describes one customer. "People come, they hang out --- they don't even have to bring their wallet to enjoy themselves," she said and laughed. Several hundred dollars later she leaves with bedding plants, perennials and with new inspiration for her landscape. "I just call it exterior decorating," explains Wanda. "Like some people decorate their homes, we decorate our grounds. "We do it to help sell product certainly, but we also do it because we practically live here, and it is like our home," employee Barbara said. Barbara is quick to add that the business has been around for sixty years and Wanda is the 3rd generation to manage it. When I press Barbara for more reasons behind the success of Wilsey Nursery, she explains that Wanda has a degree in horticulture and marketing from the University of South Alabama. Marketing, education, experience --- none of that matters to most shoppers. What typically makes a difference to customers is customer service and the "good feeling" you get that makes you want to return. Retiree Doug Taylor who volunteers at nearby Weeks Bay Reserve is a customer because of price and the wide variety of exceptionally well cared for plants. Others will say they enjoy listening to Ray Charles or the Celtic music that flows from the outdoor Bose speakers that Wanda's husband surprised her with one year. Whatever the formula, Wilsey Nursery sets just the right tone and serves as an example of how to service the gardening customer. As many as three hundred visit Wilsey Nursery Fairhope on a good day. So if you are thinking of "decorating" your gardens and would like to purchase flowers, trees, shrubs or plants take a drive towards Fairhope and visit Wilsey Nursery. You will find not only a great selection of plants and gardening products, you will find inspiration for your gardens and joy in the shopping experience unlike anywhere else in the Alabama Gulf Coast area. Wilsey Nursery Fairhope |
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