August 2024 - 32

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
McDonald
Garden Center
Hampton Roads, Virginia
mcdonaldgardencenter.com
" The unconventional store
layout, numerous trees
planted by our founder,
and the expansive glass
greenhouse provide a
botanical garden experience. "
Year founded:
1945 in Hampton, Virginia. We celebrate our 80th
anniversary next year!
What is your garden center known for?
McDonald Garden Center is, of course, known for
exceptional service, unrivaled plant quality and cultivated
knowledge - but a lot of garden centers across the
country say that.
How do you stand out from the big boxes?
All of our McDonald Garden Center locations offer a unique
experience that sets us apart from box stores but this is
especially evident at our biggest location, on Independence
Boulevard in Virginia Beach. Here, the unconventional
store layout, numerous trees planted by our founder, and
the expansive glass greenhouse provide a botanical garden
experience, unlike the typical retail environment. It's like
shopping at an Olmstead park, and we hope the customer
just finds enjoyment in being in the space, regardless of why
they chose to shop there that day.
Around 2009, after an economic downturn had all of
America's businesses on their toes, worried about future
proofing, McDonald Garden Center knew we needed to
diversify our portfolio. So, in lieu of opening a brick and
mortar in the middle of " uncertain times, " how do we
expand, yet remain conservative and cautious? Well, if you
can't bring Mohammad to the mountain, bring the mountain
to Mohammad, right? Enter the McDonald Garden Markets,
which met our customers where they needed our products
the most - in their backyards, and at a time they wanted
it the most - spring and early summer. These temporary
structures are some of the best offerings you can get from a
local IGC, squashed together in a freestanding, totally mobile
structure. This allows us to try out new areas of the Hampton
Roads area, expand our brand power, and most importantly,
fill our community's need for high-quality plant materials.
On top of all of that, we need to make the brand come
alive. So we add that special sauce - events! We have sales
events, we have experience-only events, we have workshops,
we have seminars - and we do it in a BIG way. This takes
buy-in from all fronts, and that's not always easy, but it's so
worth it, and our customers have come to love us for it.
How is your store involved in your local
community?
McDonald Garden Center is deeply involved in the
Hampton Roads community of southeastern Virginia
through a variety of engaging events. Throughout the
year, we collaborate with local gardening clubs and
societies to provide the public with in-depth knowledge
on specific gardening topics. Additionally, we often
include small local businesses in our events, creating
unique, experience-based workshops such as goat yoga
and sound bath classes.
One of our most notable events is the annual Make A
Scarecrow event, held in partnership with the Children's
Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD). Participants
create scarecrows for the fall season, with most of the
proceeds benefiting CHKD. This cherished event has raised
over $400,000 for CHKD, supporting their hospitals and
making a significant impact in our community.
32 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | AUGUST 2024
http://www.mcdonaldgardencenter.com
August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 2024
