In Upstate New York in the heart of the Genesee Valley, Palmiter’s Garden Nursery has been growing gardens for 60 years. Marla Palmiter, the second-generation owner, is a self-described “plant nerd” who took on the task of adding a retail greenhouse to the business.
“We had two old wooden greenhouses that my father built 55 years ago,” Marla explained. “They were tight and facing in the wrong direction from where people entered from the parking lot. It was awkward, it didn’t create a good space.”
It took some time before Marla was ready to take on the retail greenhouse project. “The only protected area we had was those two little greenhouses, and I knew they were rotting. I was very daunted by the task of replacing those. I was paralyzed for ten years; I didn’t know who to call.”
Palmiter’s operates on a smaller plot of land, so Marla had to be strategic with her greenhouse layout. She was looking for a straight sided gutter-connect style greenhouse, but the nursery only had room for one bay. “I knew what I wanted, but I didn’t know who could do it. I wasn’t getting good feedback from the two larger places I called and I was fairly discouraged,” she said.
Marla eventually connected with Rimol’s New York sales representative Matt Hand, who made an initial site visit to plan her greenhouse project. They worked together to design a 24’ x 72’ Matterhorn Greenhouse with a 12’ porch section, glazed with polycarbonate. “The whole process was amazing,” said Marla. “I’ve never had something go so well here.”
“Matt suggested the porch feature; it’s totally changed our retail environment for people,” she added. “It makes what was mostly an outdoor display area look like a garden center in a really tight spot.”
The retail greenhouse has been a significant upgrade for Palmiter’s, providing functionality and drawing in customers to boost sales. “I get customers that compliment us all the time that say it’s a beautiful structure,” said Marla. “I had a long-time customer that came in who said: ‘What a way to state that you are here, and you mean business.’ It was such a great way to put it.”
“On a personal level, it was a huge confidence booster for me,” Marla added. “About 20 years ago, I was overwhelmed – I’m the only person trying to run this show, I have rotten greenhouses, I have a host of other projects that I need to do. For a while I never thought I would see this happen.”
“I had envisioned it for the last 15 years: I need something that opens directly to the public and makes this look like a true garden center. It was a turning point in momentum for this place. Having things turn out the way you envisioned, it’s rare. Rimol made my year!”
