Business Spotlight - Green Thumb Garden Centre

Some places just stick with you, and in Nanaimo, Green Thumb Garden Centre is one of them.

Family-owned for three generations and growing strong for over 60 years, it’s a place filled with stories, from first paycheques and summer jobs to their deep community roots.

As part of our Nanaimo Business Feature Series, we’re chatting with local businesses to hear their stories, what keeps them here, and how you can support them.

What inspired you to start your business in Nanaimo?

Green Thumb Garden Centre, and its sister company, Green Thumb Nursery, is a third-generation business that has been operating on this property since 1959. It is still owned and operated by members of the original family.

Are there any positive specific customer stories or interactions that stand out to you that have taken place over the years?

We have been lucky enough to employ hundreds of people from Nanaimo and the surrounding area over the many years we have been in business, and have multiple family groups, like a father and his son and daughter, or siblings, on our team. Many people have very fond memories of visiting over the years, and we have former staff who come back in bringing their kids (and grandkids!)

What’s one thing in your store that makes a great gift?

We might be biased, but we truly think that plants make the perfect, long-lasting gift for someone, and we happen to have a LOT of them. It's great for the environment, and it helps to purify the air in your home or office, leading to less overall waste than a lot of options. We have both an on-site nursery and a production farm where a large number of the plants that are seen on the retail shelves are grown. From exotic citrus to the perfect maple tree for the front yard, we can recommend a great gift for indoors or out that's suited to your zone.

What are some of your favourite Nanaimo businesses?

We love all things Nanaimo! Some recent standouts for us include Milk Jam Donuts downtown (a favourite among staff), Hoxton Home (they have great gifts and home decor) and Old City Panache for all your vintage home decor (we get some of our display pieces from there!).

What would you say to someone considering starting their own business in Nanaimo?

Nanaimo is a wonderful community that truly supports local, and you have the opportunity to grow something here that can last for generations. 

How do you see your business contributing to the community in Nanaimo?

We employ a large number of people, as one of the only working farms that supports a nursery and garden centre in the city in the City Centre. We have a number of ongoing sponsorships and programs that we quietly contribute to every year, and are working towards formalizing some of those supports to increase their impact moving forward. 

What do you love most about being a part of the Nanaimo business community?

The people! We have been lucky enough to build some really strong relationships over the years with other local businesses and hope to mentor and support many more in the following decades. 

Green Thumb Garden Centre isn’t just growing plants, it’s growing community, connection, and a legacy that continues to evolve with Nanaimo.

And that’s exactly what this series is all about.