How to attract more visitors to family-owned greenhouses and garden centers? With this question in mind, Debbie Foisy of Deb's Greenhouse in Morinville (AB) created a Google map listing as many family-owned greenhouses as possible in Alberta, Canada. There are currently 193 greenhouses listed, with more being added, and so far, it seems to be a hit.
Debbie and her kids on Mother’s Day. Link to the map is on her website: www.debsgreenhouse.com
Lot of interest
The purpose of the google map is for the public to use to adventure and encourage more visits to grower/retailer garden centers, she explains. And it has already attracted a lot of attention on social media. "The map has been shared via social media and has been viewed over 100,000 times", says Foisy.
And seems to encourage people to visit the greenhouses. "We have new customers every day that found us because of the map. One lady pulled up in a camper van and said she is visiting every garden center on the map."
The map
Criteria to be on the map
But not every company can be on the map. Foisy explains the criteria to be on her map. "There are three criteria; first, you need to be a grower or retailer, not a box store. Secondly, you need to sell plants direct to the public from a storefront, and finally, you need to be located in Alberta."
Expansion to other provinces?
Foisy received multiple requests from greenhouse owners in other provinces to be added to her map, but she would like to see others take the initiative and create their own.
For more information
Deb's Greenhouse
Debbie Foisy
Email: debfoisy@hotmail.com
www.debsgreenhous
e.com