What began as one woman selling produce from her backyard has blossomed into one of North Bay’s most beloved businesses. This year, Laporte’s Nursery celebrates its remarkable 75th anniversary.
“I have no education as far as horticulture, but what I do have is a good memory.”
Lorraine Laporte is the owner of Laporte’s Nursery, a well-known and well-loved family business that’s been in the North Bay area for 75 years.
Laporte’s Nursery started with Lorraine’s grandmother, Tina, after she started selling produce to neighbours from her personal garden.
“She put up a small hoop house off the side of the garage at the house on Toronto Street, and started selling plants,” Lorraine said.
The business expanded after Lorraine’s father, James, took over in 1971, and Laporte’s grew from just plants and produce to a full garden centre, complete with soil, trees, shrubs, fertilizers, and eventually perennials and annuals.
Lorraine worked as the store’s bookkeeper for several years, but was encouraged by her father to get an education. She joined the nursery in a more leadership-oriented role back in 1990.
“I took over the day-to-day operations 30 years ago, so I’ve expanded to a larger line up,” Lorraine said. “We sell C.R. Plastics furniture, and lots of decor. It’s more well-rounded, it’s not just a garden centre anymore.”
Throughout the years, many members of the Laporte family worked to keep the family business successful, and the work will continue with Laporte’s fourth generation— Lorraine’s daughters, Kelsey McMullen and Ashley Champion.
“My grandmother died years ago. My sister passed away 20 years ago. My dad’s gone, my mom’s gone, My one aunt is still alive, but she’s in her 80s now,” Lorraine said. “I can’t even begin to say how much I appreciated all of her work over the years. She’s probably forgotten more than I’ll ever know. She truly had a green thumb.”
Alongside the family’s hereditary skillset in gardening, one of the many reasons Laporte has remained so successful is her commitment to selling plants that will thrive in Ontario’s plant hardiness zones.
“We are zone four, four being the borderline of what would be hardy. Any number higher than a four is less hardy, any number lower than a four is more hardy,” Lorraine said.
Ontario’s hardiness scale sits at a 7a down in Essex Municipality, decreasing as you move north. The areas along Hudson’s Bay only hit 1b to 0b. Zones 4a and 4b stretch horizontally, roughly from Sault Ste. Marie to Ottawa, and down into the GTA.
“I don’t purchase plants from BC. Everything is grown right here in Ontario, so you know that it’s zoned for us and grown in our climate,” Lorraine said. “I just try to take the guesswork out of it for people.”
As we quickly approach our cold weather season, Lorraine emphasizes the importance of taking care of your plants before the snow comes.
“Please water your plants this fall. Plants going into winter dry don’t have a chance of making it,” she said. “Water deeply once a week right up until the ground freezes. I can’t stress that enough.”
As the garden centre preps for its winter season, Lorraine said what she loves most is seeing new and familiar faces when the snow starts to melt.
“When the older customers come in in the spring, they come in for a hug. These are people I’ve known most of my life,” she said. “It’s like a family reunion every spring.”
Laporte’s Nursery & Greenhouses is located at 1054 Lakeshore Dr. in North Bay.
If you are interested in learning more about their story or taking a look at their selection, you can find their website here.
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