Local lawn care providers and nurseries are seeing green when it comes to doing business during COVID-19.
Landscaping businesses that provide agricultural supply and equipment are considered an essential business in Kentucky and have remained open throughout the pandemic.
At Integrity Nursery & Outdoor Living, marketing manager Rachel Mann said business is booming.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support of our community,” she said. “It’s been incredible to watch everyone working together, respecting each other and showing kindness here at our store.”
Integrity’s doors are open to the public, but they are adhering to state guidelines, such as limiting the number of people in the retail areas; sanitizing door handles, shopping carts and PIN pads; and practicing social distancing.
“The health and safety of both our shoppers and our employees is our top priority,” she said. “Our customers have really been utilizing our curbside touch-free pickup option and delivery services.”
Mann said they have been overwhelmed by the support from the community.
“It’s been incredible to watch everyone working together, respecting each other and showing kindness here at our store,” she said. “We are in the middle a really stressful and uncertain time, but here in our tiny pocket of OBKY, we’ve seen so much love, patience, respect and consideration. We have really seen the good in people, and it’s been wonderful.”
Mike Hamilton, owner of Marlene’s Garden Center in Philpot, said his nursery was swamped when sales spiked about mid-April. He said he saw a 50-percent increase in sales — a record since he opened the family-owned nursery in 1996.
“Business has boomed. We’ve never had a year like this,” Hamilton said. “Everybody is off of work, and there’s nothing else to do so they’re working in their yard and garden.”
Caleb McIntire, owner of Home Run Lawn and Home Repairs, said carrying out the day-to-day operation of the job is business as usual, but with social distancing.
“We are able to still continue working but we take a little bit of a different approach when meeting with clients on a daily basis,” McIntire said. “We try to keep our distances.”
McIntire said his business has increased 25 percent compared to last year, and he thinks part of the reason is that homeowners have more time to tend to their lawns and gardens since they’re stuck at home.
“People are actually calling more and wanting more stuff done since people are staying home, and they’re finding stuff they need done,” McIntire said. “The business side of it, it’s going good. It hasn’t slowed down much. We’re still growing and trying to keep up, but it took us by surprise.”
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For the latest information and data on COVID-19 in Kentucky visit kycovid19.ky.gov or dial the Kentucky state hotline at 800-722-5725.
For the latest health guidelines and resources from the CDC, visit their website here.
