Local business hopes to grow

As residents have settled down in Plumas Lake and the area has established itself over the course of the past six years, many have begun making a more permanent investment in the area by opening businesses.

The Miner family is one of those. Jennifer Miner and her husband, Keith, have invested their time and money and have opened their doors to a family-run nursery – Flower Hut Nursery.

“We are proud to be setting our roots down in Wheatland,” said Jennifer Miner, who runs the day-to-day operations at the shop. “Our goal is to provide the customers of Sutter, Placer, Yuba and other surrounding counties with our experience, knowledge and hands on service.”

The business officially opened its doors Jan. 8 and features everything a true gardener might need. They specialize in edibles and flowers but also carry hydroponics supplies, seeds and bulbs.

As the first business for Jennifer and her husband, the hardest part of getting it off the ground was the amount investment they have had to make in time and money, she said. With the economy in a downturn now is not normally the ideal time for people to venture into a new business, but the Miners felt like the timing was right for them.

“I just felt like it was a great time. If we can get a business up and running in an economy like the current one, then we will be all set and running well when things start to turn around. Nothing like starting at the bottom,” she said.

While this is the first business for both, they are not new to the horticulture industry or to plants. Jennifer has been in the nursery business since she was 17 and her and her husband have more than 23 years of experience as sales representatives for wholesale growers.

While Miner admits business has been slow, it's typical for this time of year and especially for an industry that flourishes on good weather. But the couple is happy to have this quiet time to get all the kinks figured out so they are up and running at their best when spring time hits in a few months.

They said their main focus is to help the residents of the Yuba-Sutter area be successful gardeners. They are hoping to promote their new business along with give some tips to interested customers while holding free monthly clinics. Their first clinic will be held this Saturday, Feb. 6, and will focus on how to care for roses.

“We really want to promote our interest in educating our customers and making gardening an enjoyable ‘chore,’” said Jennifer.

One of the biggest perks for the Miner family is the cut down on commute time and the increase in family time. As a sales rep, Jennifer often put in at least 35,000 miles a year away from her home and her family.

It has also given the Miner family an opportunity to get to know the area and the people that live here.

“I love getting to know all the people who live in our area … love the stories and history lesson I have been told,” she said. “Every day someone new comes in and tells me something I didn’t know before about our community.

“I would love for it to become successful enough so my husband can quit his job and work with me … to have a true family-run business," Jennifer said. "I would like to get to the point that people will come by just to visit and share what is growing in their yards…even if they aren’t shopping that day. Wouldn’t that be cool?”

Flower Hut Nursery

• Address: 603 4^th Street, off Highway 65
• Hours: Wednesday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Free seminar: Rose care, Saturday, Feb. 6, 10-11 a.m. (call to sign up)
• Phone: 633-4526
• Web site: http://www.flowerhutnursery.com

PlumasLakeLife.com correspondent Michele Perrault can be reached at 763-3380 or e-mail her at mperrault@plumaslakelife.com