ATLANTA — Tucked in a shopping center on Waddell Street, plants are thriving and looking for their forever homes.
Lush Plant Co. moved from Oakhurst to a small space in Inman Park in 2023 and is now open for retail again. For a couple of years, owner Andrea Kidd offered in-home services and other support to plant owners, such as repotting.
“I was like, you know what, it’s time,” Kidd said. “I didn’t feel ready for a long time to do retail again, but something about the energy this year made me feel ready to do it.”
Lush Plant Co. opened in August 2020 and operated in collaboration with Kidd’s sister, Jennifer Martha. At the time, there weren’t any houseplant shops in Decatur, and the pair felt the city needed one of its own.
The sisters opened Lush Plant Co. at Scout in Oakhurst as a weekend pop-up, then moved into a larger space at the Solarium in 2021. Lush Plant Co. closed in 2023.
The Solarium leased the plant shop space during the COVID-19 pandemic, when events weren’t taking place. As activities ramped up, the Solarium needed more event space. Kidd knew the Oakhurst location wasn’t a long-term solution.
After seeing a story in Decaturish, a property owner reached out to Kidd to offer her space, and she moved into 27 Waddell St. NE in December 2023. When Kidd first moved into the new store, she had an office in the back, and the front area was her hub for serving corporate clients, delivery clients and offering repotting services.
“I was not convinced that this space would work as a retail space because of the size. It’s so much smaller than what we used to have,” Kidd said. “But about two months ago, I had to redo the floors and I decided to convert my office in the back to additional retail. I’ve just hired a new employee … we’re trying the retail thing again.”
The store features many of the same plants customers have loved over the years, like Venus flytraps, pilea, string of pearls, pothos, airplants and more. The store continues to sell pots, soil and other plant accessories.
Lush Plant Co. has a wide variety of houseplants on display at the shop at 27 Waddell St. NE in Inman Park.
ZOE SEILER/APPEN MEDIA
Before launching extended hours, the business opened for retail sales on Saturdays.
“That allowed us to see what it looks like when five people walk in here at once,” Kidd said. “It actually worked out fine.”
Lush Plant Co. is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All plants get watered on Mondays, and Kidd receives deliveries on Tuesdays. There is a parking lot available for customers, as well as on-street parking.
Kidd received a Beltline facade improvement grant. A mural will be installed on the storefront to help make the shop more inviting and identifiable. The artist will also add an awning above the door.
“That kind of kicked me in the tail and motivated me to see this could be more than it was before,” Kidd said.
Kidd strives to be a resource to plant lovers so people can learn about how they can add plants to their homes, different types of light, soil quality and how to care for plants.
“We’re just here to make people feel confident,” Kidd said. “My goal is for everyone to be able to check their plants once a week and then move on with their lives.”
Sting of pearls is available at Lush Plant Co. located at 27 Waddell St. NE in Inman Park.
ZOE SEILER/APPEN MEDIA
Lush Plant Co. has a wide variety of houseplants on display at the shop at 27 Waddell St. NE in Inman Park.
ZOE SEILER/APPEN MEDIA
Lush Plant Co. in Inman Park offers a variety of Venus flytraps for sale.
ZOE SEILER/APPEN MEDIA
Lush Plant Co. in Inman Park offers a variety of plants, including the Pilea Moon Valley.
ZOE SEILER/APPEN MEDIA
Want Decaturish delivered to your inbox every day?
Sign up for our free newsletter by clicking
here.
Support Decaturish by making a contribution today.
Visit here to learn more.
Comments are closed.