On average, for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 remains in the local economy and community. That’s more than twice the amount big chains reinvest. I’ve been thinking a lot about this statistic because – if you know me – you know I love numbers, especially when we think about what a number really means.

We understand (better than anyone) that your time is perhaps even more valuable than your dollars. While it takes effort to support local businesses, the rewards are infinite. We hope you feel our love, we hope you feel inspired to try something new, we hope we can help you create cherished memories, and we hope you come to enjoy and embrace something we ourselves also love.

It’s taken a bit of time to wrap my mind around what to say and how to say it when it comes to remembering this year’s Plant Pride, which took place this past weekend on Saturday, July 15. If you’re not familiar with this (now) signature event, Plant Pride is a celebration of the opening of the Botany Shop, a celebration where we do our best to champion and amplify all the ways we grow together. In addition to being a perfectly beautiful day, I keep coming back to the idea and the feeling of love, because there was a lot of love in the Near Northwest Neighborhood on Saturday.

Hey friends. Hope your summer is going swingingly. Speaking of swimming, maybe this message is finding you at the beach or around the grill in a friend’s backyard. No matter where you are and what you’re doing, there’s no denying summer is here in full swing, which brings me to my reason for writing today. As part of your summer plans, I’m here to encourage you to keep loving on our local, independent businesses throughout Michiana, especially now.

As we feel the spring energy return to the earth and to our bodies, many of us are excited to get into the garden and start planting! As the season advances, we’ll be sharing a bit of what we’re growing in our own gardens in the hope you might follow along and learn something to help you in your own growing adventures. 

Do wet, gloomy, cold days have you dreaming of warmer times and greener gardens? We feel you... It just so happens our spring seeds have arrived, and they’re a perfect choice to help beat the winter blues. Check out our blog for our team picks and seed starting 101 videos.

As we look ahead to 2023, we simultaneously celebrate our accomplishments and lessons learned from 2022. What’s on the radar in the year to come? Read on to learn more.

Decisions are made by those who show up. If you’re reading this, it means you’re a member of our community, and we sincerely hope you’re planning to show up and make your voice heard on election day.

Sunday was a beautiful day in the Near Northwest Neighborhood as record crowds turned out to celebrate Arts Café with us, an annual event celebrating and showcasing our neighborhood. Beyond the beautiful weather, the general energy and spirit of the day felt different to me in a way I haven’t felt for a while.