August 2024 - 4

EDITOR'S LETTER
Something for Everyone
We have an exciting
addition to our regular
issue this month: the Show
Guide for The Garden Center
Show, co-organized by Lawn
& Garden Retailer! Inside,
you'll find everything you
need to make the most of
the event, including full
details on the conference
program, a show floor map
and a QR code to scan for
an interactive experience. If
you'll be at the show, please
come up and say hello!
Not going to the show?
Don't worry, we still have all
the editorial content you expect from us, beginning
on page 38 with the scoop on how South Carolinabased
Forest Lake Greenhouses revolutionized its
business with easy-to-learn technology from Epicor.
On page 44, BotaniGal founder Hannah Brookfield
writes about opening a houseplant store in historic
Sykesville, Maryland, that connects people in the
community and builds partnerships with other
businesses - truly an inspiration for others in
garden retail.
While the holiday season seems far away, it'll
be here sooner than we know it - are you ready?
Me neither! But if you're looking for some holiday
merchandising ideas, flip to page 52, where
editorial director Carly McFadden describes how
a Pennsylvania retailer transforms into a magical
shopping destination each holiday season.
Meet the Innovators!
I'm thrilled to introduce you to Lawn & Garden
Retailer's Innovator of the Year award recipients.
These independent garden centers stand out by
providing a memorable customer experience,
maintaining an active presence in their local
communities, and promoting a positive and teamoriented
work environment. Meet them all beginning
on page 28.
EDITORIAL
MANAGING EDITOR
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
ADVERTISING SALES
ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE
INTEGRATED MEDIA CONSULTANT
PRODUCTION
SENIOR CLIENT SUCCESS
REPRESENTATIVE
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
CIRCULATION
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATE
CFO
COO & CMO
PUBLISHER & CEO
Becky Stovall, 616-520-2138
bstovall@greatamericanpublish.com
Deb Carnes, 616-520-2169
dcarnes@greatamericanpublish.com
Kim Baker, 616-520- 2135
kbaker@greatamericanpublish.com
Matt McCallum, 616-520-2133
mmccallum@greatamericanpublish.com
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
JD Boone
Jessie Jacobson
Jennifer Moss
Tiger Palafox
Stan Pohmer
Danny Summers
Kate Terrell
Dothan Nurseries
Tonkadale Greenhouse
Moss Greenhouses
Mission Hills Nursery
Pohmer Consulting Group
The Garden Center Group
Wallace's Garden Center
The opinions and views expressed by authors, contributors and advertisers in Lawn &
Garden Retailer do not necessarily reflect those of the editors and publisher. Appearance
in Lawn & Garden Retailer does not constitute endorsement by Great American Media
Services or Lawn & Garden Retailer of the advertiser, its products, or services. Great
American Media Services and Lawn & Garden Retailer accept no responsibility of liability
for the validity or accuracy of information supplied by contributors, vendors, advertisers,
or advertising agencies. Great American Media Services and Lawn & Garden Retailer do
not make any claims or guarantees as to the accuracy or validity of information supplied
by contributors, vendors, advertisers or advertising agencies.
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
L&GR (Lawn & Garden Retailer) magazine (ISSN 1540-9023) is published ten times a
year in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September/October and
November/December by Great American Media Services, 75 Applewood Dr., Suite A, Sparta,
MI 49345, Telephone: 616.887.9008.
Subscription rates in the U.S. are $30 per year (Canada and Mexico are $50 and all other
countries are $60 payable in U.S. currency). Periodical postage paid at Sparta, MI and at
additional mailing offices. Reproduction of contents is forbidden. Copyright 2024.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Great American Publishing, PO Box 318,
Lincolnshire IL 60069
@LGRmag
Teresa McPherson, MANAGING EDITOR
616-520-2163 | tmcpherson@greatamericanpublish.com
@lgrmag
Winner of 2010, 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2018 EDDIE awards for Best Full Issue
Jolan Godfrey, 616-520-2148
jgodfrey@greatamericanpublish.com
Alexa Armstrong, 616-520-2174
aarmstrong@greatamericanpublish.com
Amanda Mackey, 616-520-2157
amackey@greatamericanpublish.com
Allison McKenzie, 616-520-2142
amckenzie@greatamericanpublish.com
Tiffany O'Kelley, 616-520-2155
tokelley@greatamericanpublish.com
Kim Sammartino, 616-520-2173
ksammartino@greatamericanpublish.com
Teresa McPherson, 616-520-2163
tmcpherson@greatamericanpublish.com
Ellen Wagner, 616-520-2161
ewagner@greatamericanpublish.com
Carly McFadden, 616-520-2164
cmcfadden@greatamericanpublish.com
4 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | AUGUST 2024
August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 2024
