LEXINGTON — Local officials celebrated the opening of From the Ground Up, a tree and landscaping business, on Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
“We’re glad to be here on a beautiful day in Lexington and celebrate another new business opening here in Richland County,” said Jodie Perry, president of the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce.
Owner Jeremy Huff was excited to set up shop at the former Garden Gate Farm Market and Greenhouse.
“When we did our due diligence of research, we figured out that the company before us had a really good name and they didn’t shut down from not being a good business, but simply that they couldn’t keep up with it anymore and they just wanted to retire, he said.
“We were happy that they had a good name and that we were just kind of reviving something that was already good.”
Huff, an Ashland native, previously provided landscaping services throughout Ashland and Richland counties.
“The majority of our work and services was in Richland County, so we thought it was best that we moved out this way,” he said.
And by moving into the former Garden Gate property, he has the opportunity to offer even more than just landscaping services.
One of the property’s three greenhouses is filled with vibrant flowers and hanging baskets that are available for purchase. Huff said the other two greenhouses should be up and running within a month.
“The best part about our business is that we not only install it, but you can buy it,” Huff said. “Most greenhouses only sell, where we sell and install, so I feel we have the best of both worlds.”
There’s also a market on the property, where the business will have homegrown produce for purchase, he said. Down the road he hopes to grow sweet corn and have pumpkin patches and a corn maze. He said he’d like to offer many activities, too, like face painting and horse riding.
“It’s not going to be anything but fun out here,” he said.
Huff said they moved in three works ago, adding that they’re just in phase one of many exciting things yet to come.
Lexington Mayor Eugene Parkison welcomed Huff to the community and noted that small businesses are not only the backbone of the community, but the nation, as well.
From the Ground Up is open Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. It’s located at 2405 S. Lexington-Springmill Road.
