50 Years and Growing: Cliff Avenue Greenhouse Garden Center

50 Years and Growing:

Cliff Avenue Greenhouse & Garden Center

BY MARY MICHAELS | PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Plants…and petunias…and perennials... oh, my!

Even though it is no longer located on the street for which it was named, Cliff Avenue Greenhouse and Garden Center has been keeping gardens growing for the past 50 years.

Back in 1972, the original owner of the business started selling tomato plants out of a garage as a part-time job and later graduated to a greenhouse located on…can you guess?...Cliff Avenue. The business grew and relocated to the East 26th Street location, going through several additions and renovations. Cliff Avenue Greenhouse later saw a need to expand further and, as they like to say, a second location “sprouted up” on West 41st Street in 1992.

Both locations carry a wide variety of gift and décor items, even adding an instore clothing boutique several years ago called Janie B’s – named after the original owner. Now is the perfect time to not only find colorful plants for your pots and gardens, but also maybe find a springy top or dress to enjoy as the days get warmer.

Shoppers can find unique desk or wall art, candles, notebooks, mugs, accent pillows and more – and, appropriately, many of these items are decorated with floral prints. Pet lovers can find canine- and feline-decorated planters and gifts, including items like a Cat Bingo game or a book called, Dog Mom-A Love Story.

The store also offers a line of gift items for those welcoming a new baby, with adorable onesies, plush animals, prints, books and more. Need some pampering after a long day of working in the garden? Check out

their bath and beauty offerings, including bath bombs and shower steamers.

Of course, Cliff Avenue Greenhouse and Garden Center has everything you need to get things growing, with rows of seed packets, fertilizer, soil, planters, and garden tools, along with many options if you need a trellis or garden fencing.

And then, of course, there’s the greenhouse.

If you remember the feeling of being a kid in a candy store, that’s how you will feel walking into the vibrant space. It’s hard to even know where to start looking, because the entire space is blooming with so many different plants (indoor and outdoor varieties), trees, succulents and flowers. Everything is arranged to help you find your favorites, whether that’s annuals or perennials, specific flowers or colors that you like. Don’t forget to add a touch of whimsy to your garden with friendly little gnomes, butterflies or bumblebees…or maybe a bright pink flamingo garden stake!

The talented Cliff Avenue team will have all the advice you need for laying out your garden, building a blooming pot for your patio, or even just deciding what plant would go well in your living room.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb…you can still enjoy the beauty of fresh flowers. The designers at Cliff Avenue Greenhouse and Garden center can create unique arrangements for you, from a simple bouquet to more elaborate designs for special events. They serve the

Sioux Falls area, but they are also part of the Teleflora network that allows you to send flowers to that someone special who lives out of town.

Once the pots are planted, the cut flowers are in the vase and the string lights are up on the patio (you can find those lights there, too!), Cliff Avenue has your entertaining needs covered with a variety of mixes for cheeseballs, dips desserts and soups – along with drinkware, party napkins and cheeseboards.

Be sure to check out their Facebook page (@cliffavenuegreenhouse), where they have been sharing some of their history through photos, and where you can also find updates on events, new products and planting tips.

For 50 years, Cliff Avenue Greenhouse and Garden Center has been coloring the world of Sioux Falls area residents through plants and flowers, spreading their favorite mantra: You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy plants…and that’s pretty much the same thing. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday, 9am-5:30pm Sunday, 12-5pm

Cliff Avenue Greenhouse & Garden Center 2101 E. 26th Street 7310 West 41st Street 605-332-6641 www.cliffavegreenhouse.com