September/October 2019 - 12

MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR - FINALISTS
Gardens of Babylon
Nashville, Tennessee
As the anchor tenant of the Farmers Market,
Gardens of Babylon is located in the heart of
downtown Nashville. Their wide selection of
products, plants and gift items makes the store a
Nashville destination.
With all the music festivals happening yearly
in Nashville, many customers return to their store
for inspiration year after year to shop for unique
gift items. Gardens of Babylon intends to not only
be an inspiration to its community, but also to
their staff; they want employees to look forward to
coming to work.
A tower of giraffes welcomes guests to the
onsite display gardens behind the greenhouse.
They feature new plant introductions, herb and
vegetable gardens and a respite for local city
workers to enjoy their bagged lunch. Seating
areas are placed throughout the store for
customers to relax and enjoy the work of their
talented staff. Periodically, customers can be
seen napping in the chaise lounge chairs set at
the outdoor kitchen display.
Gardens of Babylon recently introduced a
gemstone selection to its gift area, which has
been a big hit. Customers can select a small $5
gemstone to carry in their pocket, choose a $5,000
piece to display in their home, or something in
between. Customers stop and admire what Mother
Nature has taken centuries to produce.
Their expanded pottery selection features just
about any color and size customers might be
looking for. Containers range from tabletop pieces
to 5-foot behemoths that can be used as focal
points in a garden. Their pottery and expanded
tropical plant selection continues to be the
fastest-growing area of the store. Customers can
have tropicals planted free of charge while they
continue to shop or just take a break and watch
the installation. Potted plants make great graband-go
gifts.
Gardens of Babylon's artsy displays use a
combination of flowering shrubs, tropicals,
evergreens and statuary. All Gardens of Babylon
staff play a part in the planning, planting
and maintenance of the garden. Music aired
throughout the store adds yet another sensory
dimension of their Gardens of Babylon experience.
After all, they're in Music City!
Since the company also provides landscape
design, installation and maintenance, they've
seen a 30% increase in leads generated from the
store. This year, Gardens of Babylon re-branded
their logo and signage throughout the store. It's
modern, crisp, clean and intends to reflect the
type of company it is.
Lurvey Home & Garden
Des Plaines, Illinois
Over the years, Lurvey has developed displays so
customers can see, touch and feel products before
making a purchase.
As a large Unilock supplier,
Lurvey Home & Garden has
created a new entertaining space
showcasing many of their products.
The display has allowed Lurvey to
highlight many other accessories to
finish off the area.
This was a collaboration of many,
and it let different departments in the
company work together. They have
featured their outdoor furniture line,
outdoor lighting, various decorative
containers, a custom-built pergola
by one of their landscape contractor
customers, and complete audio and visual system
that allows them to do outdoor presentations.
The display has completed Lurvey's hardscape
display area, which is located between their
landscape supply facility and home and garden
store - the perfect spot for a contractor to meet
with customers and finalize a project.
12 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
September/October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September/October 2019
