Contributed photograph
NOW OPEN — Richardson’s Hardware Store has expanded its lawn and garden center with the addition of new greenhouses. Managing the greenhouses is Caroline Skinner and supporting her efforts is Keely Mitchell, right.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
PATTEN — Richardson’s Hardware Store is expanding its services with the addition of two new greenhouses.
“This is my first venture with a greenhouse,” Nathan Richardson, owner of Richardson’s Hardware said. “We are excited about our new undertaking and we hope it does well.”
The greenhouses are located on the corner across from the hardware store and near Katahdin Trust Company on Main Street in Patten.
“We took a vacant lot where the old Patten General Store was,” said Richardson. “We removed an old building that sat on the property last summer so we could put up the greenhouses in the fall, as well as construct concrete bins to house the bulk mulch, stone and soil.”
“People are impressed with what we have done with the lot and how much nicer it looks,” said Richardson. “We believe the greenhouses will take off. We’ve had people looking around already. We have been received very well.”
A soft opening for the greenhouses was held last week, with the grand opening to be celebrated on Saturday, May 10, just in time for Mother’s Day.
Richardson’s Hardware already has a stocked lawn and garden center, but felt the town needed more options in the way of gardening and landscaping products. They will offer pavers, trees, shrubs, perennials to cultured stone, soil and mulch to help customers spruce up their property.
“We have bulk or we can sell by the yard,” said Richardson. “And, we do deliver.”
Richardson noted the greenhouses are filled with around 50 tree varieties, including fruit, maple and lilac; and well over 50 perennial choices; fruit bushes, along with a large inventory of patio furniture, pavers and retaining walls to products by Scotts and Coast of Maine.
“We have expanded our lawn and garden center and given our customers more options to dress up their yards,” he added.
Richardson does not compare his store with big-box companies.
“We offer the best quality of product we can and we have a good depth of inventory,” he said. “Our prices are very competitive.”
Managing the greenhouses is Caroline Skinner of Crystal, who has plenty of knowledge in trees and flowers, as she operated her own greenhouse.
“We will have someone to help customers in the greenhouse with plenty of experience,” said Richardson. “She really cares about the products.”
Richardson’s Hardware Store is located at 10 Main St., Patten, with greenhouse hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Most greenhouses close in July,” said Richardson, “but, we will be open year-round.”
In the fall, the greenhouse will be stocked with autumn blossoms, mums and wreaths and during the winter, the greenhouse will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland.
For more information, call Richardson’s greenhouse at 528-2235.
