Driving along M-139 through Oronoko Township, it is hard to miss the new 24,000 square foot greenhouse nestled among the neighboring fruit farms.
After breaking ground last summer, Villwocks Outdoor Living, 8008 M-139, Berrien Springs, opened its expanded garden center and nursery last weekend.
According to owner Mike Villwock – who bought the property and opened as an outdoor power equipment supplier in 2017 – the new garden center expansion was always part of his master plan to solidify the Villwocks footprint in the garden center world and become a one-stop shop for all things outdoors.
“That’s exactly what we’re looking for,” Villwock said. “We’re looking to provide that customer with all the tools they need for any outdoor project.”
So far, Villwock said the reception has been great.
“Everybody’s really excited to have something of this magnitude around here,” he said. “I feel like there’s not a lot of comparisons to it in this area.”
In addition to selling the plants, tools, equipment and other supplies needed for a DIY outdoor project, Villwock said they have a team ready to offer their expert opinion on any project.
“I think what people understand about us it we are more than willing to show you how we would do it professionally,” Villwock said. “We’re not treating our knowledge as proprietary.”
Villwocks also offers services including lawn maintenance, equipment servicing, landscaping, sprinkler system installation, fall clean up, snow plowing and pest control.
There’s this idea that you can come in and do it for yourself, and we’ll will provide you with all of the tools and the knowledge that you need to do it,” Villwock said. “But there’s also the other side of the coin where if you don’t want to do it, we have professionals that can come out and do the work to create that oasis in your backyard, or the curb appeal – all of those things.”
Villwock said the ideas for expansion don’t end with the new garden center. While the greenhouse itself is designed be expanded and there is enough land to continue growing, Villwock said he is dedicated to expanding the relationship with community members.
“We see this as an extension of the community … obviously we’re a for-profit business, but we do see ourselves as a valuable resource for people,” he said. “We want it be a place where you can have your garden club monthly meeting, have a learning event, bring an elementary class for a field trip, have winter classes … I’m excited for that part of it as well.”
With truckfuls of new plants coming from across the Midwest on a daily basis, the inventory at Villwocks will continue to evolve. Right now, there is a vast selection of tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, succulents, cactus, small trees, bushes, hanging baskets, and other flowers.
“The big box stores just dabble in plants,” Villwock said. “We’re much more than that.”
For more, visit villwocksoutdoorliving.com.
