Commentaries are opinion pieces contributed by readers and newsmakers. VTDigger strives to publish a variety of views from a broad range of Vermonters. Commentaries give voice to community members and do not represent VTDigger’s views. To submit a commentary, follow the instructions here.
This commentary is by Will Patten of Hinesburg. He is a retired business executive and author of the book, “Saving Capitalism, Vermont Shows a Way.”
Gardener’s Supply is bankrupt and a star has fallen from Vermont’s universe of socially responsible, employee-owned, B-certified companies. These businesses invest in the health of their people, communities and environment with as much fervor as they invest in their financial welfare. Vermont has more of these businesses than any other state on a per capita basis.
Gardener’s Supply was born of Will Raap’s Intervale miracle that transformed a dump into acres of lush vegetable gardens and helped scores of “agripreneurs” start their own businesses. Will taught us the joy of working in the warm spring soils and eating our own fresh produce.
But businesses and corporations are just assemblages of people with a single focus and they are as organic as the people comprising them. They take seed, struggle, blossom and eventually die. Their life span is determined by how well they adapt to an ever-changing world.
READ MORE
Socially responsible, employee-owned, B-certified companies are not immune from competition and market changes. As a retailer, Gardener’s Supply had to compete with behemoths like Amazon, eBay and Walmart. As a values-led company, it had strengths and weaknesses.
Socially responsible companies enjoy stronger customer loyalty. We like and support companies that care about more than profits. And that loyalty usually guarantees longevity, if not profits, to those companies. But Gardener’s sold high-end products to a niche consumer that could afford them. That’s what we call skinny economics.
Employee ownership has proven to increase the financial health of employees but not necessarily the company. Some companies that are owned through employee stock option plans engage the employees in strategic decisions.
A well-known local brewery decided against growth into regional markets with the counsel of employee-owners. Gardener’s Supply chose aggressive growth.
B certification is a rigorous audit of a company’s investment in financial, human and natural assets. It is designed to inform management of weakness in any of the three areas. It enforces what we used to say at Ben & Jerry’s about our economic and social missions: “No Margin; No Mission.” You can’t save the people and planet without profits.
There is a sign that hangs on our garden shed at home with a quote from Audrey Hepburn: “To garden is to believe in tomorrow.” We prepare the soil, plant the seeds, and hope they can survive the weather, weeds and predators.
That sentiment just as easily describes capitalist enterprises large and small that invest today in hopes they can survive the competition, turbulence, and uncertainty to provide a return tomorrow.
Gardener’s Supply made decisions that involved risks and failed to provide a return. It happens to businesses every day. I will miss them.
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Will Patten: RIP Gardener’s Supply
Commentaries are opinion pieces contributed by readers and newsmakers. VTDigger strives to publish a variety of views from a broad range of Vermonters. Commentaries give voice to community members and do not represent VTDigger’s views. To submit a commentary, follow the instructions here.
This commentary is by Will Patten of Hinesburg. He is a retired business executive and author of the book, “Saving Capitalism, Vermont Shows a Way.”
Gardener’s Supply is bankrupt and a star has fallen from Vermont’s universe of socially responsible, employee-owned, B-certified companies. These businesses invest in the health of their people, communities and environment with as much fervor as they invest in their financial welfare. Vermont has more of these businesses than any other state on a per capita basis.
Gardener’s Supply was born of Will Raap’s Intervale miracle that transformed a dump into acres of lush vegetable gardens and helped scores of “agripreneurs” start their own businesses. Will taught us the joy of working in the warm spring soils and eating our own fresh produce.
But businesses and corporations are just assemblages of people with a single focus and they are as organic as the people comprising them. They take seed, struggle, blossom and eventually die. Their life span is determined by how well they adapt to an ever-changing world.
READ MORE
Socially responsible, employee-owned, B-certified companies are not immune from competition and market changes. As a retailer, Gardener’s Supply had to compete with behemoths like Amazon, eBay and Walmart. As a values-led company, it had strengths and weaknesses.
Socially responsible companies enjoy stronger customer loyalty. We like and support companies that care about more than profits. And that loyalty usually guarantees longevity, if not profits, to those companies. But Gardener’s sold high-end products to a niche consumer that could afford them. That’s what we call skinny economics.
Employee ownership has proven to increase the financial health of employees but not necessarily the company. Some companies that are owned through employee stock option plans engage the employees in strategic decisions.
A well-known local brewery decided against growth into regional markets with the counsel of employee-owners. Gardener’s Supply chose aggressive growth.
B certification is a rigorous audit of a company’s investment in financial, human and natural assets. It is designed to inform management of weakness in any of the three areas. It enforces what we used to say at Ben & Jerry’s about our economic and social missions: “No Margin; No Mission.” You can’t save the people and planet without profits.
There is a sign that hangs on our garden shed at home with a quote from Audrey Hepburn: “To garden is to believe in tomorrow.” We prepare the soil, plant the seeds, and hope they can survive the weather, weeds and predators.
That sentiment just as easily describes capitalist enterprises large and small that invest today in hopes they can survive the competition, turbulence, and uncertainty to provide a return tomorrow.
Gardener’s Supply made decisions that involved risks and failed to provide a return. It happens to businesses every day. I will miss them.
Latest Opinion posts
Gov. Phil Scott should seize this moment to deny the federal government access to our prisons and end our cooperation with ICE’s abductions of non-criminal immigrants.
July 8, 2025, 7:03 amJuly 7, 2025, 10:45 am
This issue starkly highlights the disconnect between the more urban and liberal centers of central and western Vermont and our predominantly rural and conservative communities.
July 7, 2025, 7:08 amJuly 3, 2025, 11:25 pm
The truth exists whether we study it or not. It’s more important now than ever to research and understand our rapidly changing planet.
July 7, 2025, 7:05 amJuly 3, 2025, 11:25 pm
Have something to say? Submit a commentary here.