GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Greenhouse and landscaping businesses have been given the green light to reopen their doors to the public. And not a moment to soon for business owners like Brian and Brent Diemer who own Everett's Gardens and Everett's Landscaping. The brothers were deeply affected when they learned they had to shut down right when the weather was starting to warm up.
"It was very emotional...very devastating," Brian Diemer said. "The weather was beautiful. We could have done a lot of work."
Brent seconded that emotion.
"All the thoughts go through your mind," he said. "What do you do now? All of these people that are counting on you. We (like to) hit the ground in the spring and we want to go."
The duo immediately opened their garden centers last Friday when given the go-ahead and business has been brisk. They added their landscape and lawn crews on Saturday.
"The backlog is large and so we're very excited to get back at our workload," Brian said.
"Once Governor Whitmer gave the go-ahead, I had a tear in my eye," Brent added. "I was like 'Here we go, we can go" and we had the sign up saying "We're Open" by noon."
During the shutdown, they were allowed to do agriculture business, keeping their plants alive, but couldn't offer retail or lawn services. They used that time to prepare the business to follow CDC guidelines for reopening. Brian explained that employees have to be cleared at the front gate before they can enter the business and their information is entered into their computer system, all those in meetings are required to wear masks, and when they return, everything is sanitized and reset for the next day.
So if you're looking for lawn, garden, or landscaping work done at your home, local companies like Everett's are eager for your business. You can find their landscaping business at 7884 Eastern Ave SE in Grand Rapids and their garden shop at 240 84th St SE in Byron Center.
Do you run or work for a local business that is staying open and is in need of customers? Tell us about it. You can fill out a simple online form, so your business can be considered for a future “We’re Open West Michigan” story.
Don't forget, you can support local restaurants by getting takeout or delivery every Tuesday until West Michigan businesses are back up to full speed. Share photos of your food on social media using the hashtag: #TakeoutTuesday.