BACKYARD BLISS

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BY MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE PHOTOS PROVIDED BY IDA’S GARDEN PARADISE

From home decor to flats of begonias, time and again shoppers make the trip to Ida’s Garden Paradise for the perfect gift or plant to adorn their homes.

But the treasure trove of finds wasn’t what Don Dahl had in mind when he purchased the Homer Glen property more than 25 years ago. “It was a place to park his lawn equipment,” explains Karen Temple. She manages the retail store and is also Dahl’s sister.

Dahl Landscape was growing quickly, and Dahl needed a place other than his own home to store his fleet of equipment: dump truck, lawnmowers and other tools. What most shoppers know as the garden center’s store used to be a garage where Dahl stored his equipment. As he saw the surrounding communities start to grow with new housing, he too decided to expand from a landscape business. Soon, the garden center blossomed.

Dahl says he knew the business needed a better name. He went to his mother, Ida, and asked for ideas — her suggestion was “garden paradise.” As a tribute, he added her name to the title as well.

The story of the name is yet another example of how this family-owned business strives to treat its customers like family, whether assisting with a purchase for the home or garden. Temple says the staff is always ready to help customers,

from the garden staff’s knowledge of varying soils and climates to the retail staff's love of finding customers the perfect gift. “We know our plants and we know and understand the area and what grows best,” Temple says. “We buy our plants from good growers for the best quality.” When shoppers come seeking advice, the staff is there to answer questions and provide information. “We don’t mind taking the time to teach our customers how to care for their plants, how to water,” Temple says. “When you make an investment in plants, make an investment in soil, we want you to know how to take care of that investment.”

Whether it’s a customer that returns each season or a client walking through the door for the first time, each one is extended a friendly hello and helpful advice. And that advice extends to helping customers find unique and delightful gifts for all occasions: a new baby, housewarming gifts and more. There’s a selection of bird feeders and birdbaths as well as spinners and solar-powered garden decor. Temple doesn’t mind helping customers understand how soy candles burn cleaner, which is why they carry those brands in the store.

“We bring a lot of unique gifts for the home into the store,” she says, adding there is always new inventory on the shelves.

Inside, you’ll find jewelry, religious decor, purses, lotions, soaps, slippers and more, making it fun to shop for others (or maybe a gift for yourself, too).

Throughout the year the store hosts special shopping events, from ladies’ night shopping specials to events to showcase the new holiday decor. Check out Ida’s Garden Paradise on Facebook for event information and updates. “There’s so much to see in the store — a customer who comes in for the first time is often amazed,” Temple says. ¢ IDA’S GARDEN PARADISE 14960 W. 159th St., Homer Glen 815-838-7811 www.idasgardenparadise.com