Plant Nursery: Plantae

A plant pandemic PASTIME,

reimagined into a career

RACHEL GIBBONS, ARIZONA DAILY SUN , ARIZONA DAILY SUN Chelsea Thomas stands inside of her store Plantae in downtown Flagsta . The store specializes in house plants and won Best of Flag’s category Best Plant Nursery.

SABRINA PROFFITT

Chelsea Thomas was on a mission to fi nd a new career path that she was passionate about after fi nding herself unemployed due to the pandemic. With a love of keeping house plants, Thomas turned her hobby into a vision. She started Plantae as a pop-up shop outside of Rainbow’s End in downtown Flagsta and opened her own brick-andmortar shop soon after.

She opened the physical Plantae shop to the community in March 2021. Immediately, she was showered with community support and love. In order to stand out, her mission was to fi ll her nursery with unique and rare plants that were hard to fi nd.

“Right away it was made clear to me that there was a need for another plant nursery,” Thomas said. “I’m trying to bring a variety to town that we haven’t seen before. It’s been super fun

Plantae | 112 E. Rte. 66, #106

COURTESY OF PLANTA E

Plantae also o ers a variety of pots.

to see people’s responses to the variety of plants. It’s been a year of trying to grow the business, fi gure out the business, what works and doesn’t work.”

Thomas goes to extreme distances to procure a wide range of plants – literally. She drives to California twice a month and Phoenix weekly to pick up everything from ferns and succulents to Venus fl ytraps and more unique o erings.

Beyond the variety of plants o ered, Thomas wanted Plantae to be community-based. If a customer needed help or had a question, she wanted her team to be able to step in and help.

“We’re also here to help with any type of care questions or if you’re having any problems with your plants,” Thomas said. “Our sta is always ready to help you get to the bottom with it and try to fi x the problem. We sell pots and also drill drainage holes on demand. Even if you didn’t purchase the pot from us, you’re welcome to bring in your pot and we’ll drill holes for you for free.”

While many businesses were negatively a ected by the pandemic, Thomas found house plants were on the uprising. She noticed even people who had never taken care of a plant

The Best: Plant Nursery

1. Plantae 2. Warner’s Nursery and Landscaping 3. Viola’s Flower Garden

before come into her store, wanting to learn the ropes. Even now, more than a year into the pandemic, house plants have become a hobby for many. The plant community that already existed expanded as the months of quarantine dragged on.

“I feel so incredibly blessed,” Thomas said. “The pandemic only fueled this business. I do think we would have been successful if we weren’t in a pandemic because it’s a store Flagstaff didn’t have but I honestly think it took the pandemic for me personally to figure out what I should be doing.”

Thomas would go into the garden department and look at all of the plants when only a few stores like Walmart and Home Depot were open during the early stages of the pandemic. This hobby sparked an idea in her brain and she ran with it.

“The universe just made everything fall into place so well,” Thomas said. “Down to our location next to MartAnnes, the opening day couldn’t have been better, they cleaned out the store. COVID was not a problem for Plantae, that’s for sure. I feel so bad and sympathize with other businesses that were affected, but COVID was not a problem for us.”

In the future, Thomas hopes to expand her business, both physically and throughout the community. She hopes to put on workshops and classes in the future for those who want to learn more about plant care. She’s also working on offering plant doctor and vacation plant care services – clear signs that Plantae is still growing.

Your Neighborhood Plant shop Thanks for Voting Us Best Plant Nursery!

Tropical Plants

Cacti & Succulents

Easy Indoor Plants Plants for Beginners

112 E Route 66 #106 – Downtown Flagstaff (928) 298-5588 plantaeflagstaff.com @plantaeflagstaff

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For voting us the Best Shoe Store In Flagstaff!

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Since 2005 our team has committed to providing the best service to all of those who pass by our shop or see us in the community. From runners and hikers to nurses and teachers, we are here to help you find the best shoe that supports your lifestyle. We ' re proud to be a part of this community, and we ' re proud to be your trusted friend. It' s an honor to be recognized as the Best Shoe Store in Flag. Thank you!

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Art Loft collective was voted Best Art Gallery in the 2021 Best of Flag.

JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN

town above Art

Art Loft Collective | 17 N. San Francisco St., Ste. 3C

SVEA CONRAD

Art Loft Collective, tucked up above Flag Terroir and the long-standing Artist Gallery, was in many ways born out of the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perhaps not directly, but had Art Loft mastermind Ashley Matelski not been temporarily unemployed when the restaurant she managed closed for a month she would not have been making and selling her art full time. Had she never been forced to make ends meet solely through her art, opening a space to help others do the same likely would not have come about.

Time and time again it’s the hardships that yield the fruit.

“The biggest turning point for me was during the shutdown. So many people took that time to do what they could never do, for most creatives that was making art. You always have your support job taking up your

Please see ART, Page 60 COURTESY OF CIERRA MURRIETTA The recently opened Art Loft Collective occupies the top fl oor above The Artists Gallery and FLG Terroir in downtown Flagsta .