New market inside Landscape Garden Centers offers chance to shop local

This piece is sponsored by Landscape Garden Centers.

Landscape Garden Centers is offering a whole new way to shop local, starting this holiday season.

The Market opens Saturday, Nov. 1, providing a new way for local makers, growers and creators to share their goods with the community.

“It’s a vendor fair and a shift toward more items of more local interest,” garden center manager Grace Lehner said.

Local merchandise from 12 vendors will be set up in the garden center’s retail area inside the main entry of the business at 47238 271st St.

“We’ll still carry pottery and supplies for houseplants throughout the winter season, but most of our home decor is being replaced by the vendor fair,” Lehner said.

“We have things like sourdough, pet treats, metal jewelry, hand-stamped gifts, honey, skin care, natural home and health products, and woodworking planters.”

Vendors include:

• Arambasic Woodworking
• Bourne Family Bakery
• Brain Beauty
• Cosmic Creations
• Dakota Freeze Dried Kitchen
• Glean for Good
• Golden Sourdough
• Heritage Oak Honey
• If You Say So Stamping
• Mark’s Rocks
• Missile Metal Works
• Tail Chasers Gourmet Pet Food

“At this time, we’re full for the holiday season,” Lehner said. “A lot of these vendors have only been to vendor fairs or had an online presence, so they’re excited to be for sale for the holiday season.”

All vendors are from the Sioux Falls area.

“We did a lot of outreach, went to the farmers market, any type of market or fair and met with some local makers who had reached out over the years if we ever did pursue this, so we had a list that included some people who had wanted to do this for a long time,” Lehner said.

“We’d like to continue it year-round. This is a test run to see how it goes for the vendors and our customers, so we’re hoping it’s something we can continue when we reopen in the spring.”

The Market will launch Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. Until noon, meet the local vendors, explore unique products and enjoy a complimentary mimosa while you shop.

Through 6 p.m., bring a canned food item and be entered to win a $50 gift card raffle. Receive one entry for each can. Plus, the first 50 customers will receive a free “just add water” paperwhite bulb kit.

The Market will be open during regular Landscape Garden Centers business hours through the holiday season.

“Some live green goods are en route now,” Lehner added. “Live garland, spruce tips and wreaths will be here soon, and the live trees and the majority of the Christmas shop will be set up by mid-November.”

Special events

In addition to The Market’s launch, Landscape Garden Centers is offering several other events for the holiday season.

Winter container workshops

Create your own festive outdoor container to brighten up the winter season. The Landscape Garden Centers team will guide you step-by-step in designing a beautiful arrangement using fresh greens, branches and decorations.

The workshop is $15 plus the cost of materials and includes  gloves, instruction and a hot cocoa bar.

Workshops are scheduled:

• Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Nov. 14 from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Click here for registration details.

“We’re also booking private Christmas workshops and offer customizable workshops for groups of four or more, where you can create wreaths, containers or a centerpiece for any budget,” Lehner said.

Family Christmas photos

Capture the sights of the season in a beautiful setting for your family photos. Enjoy a 15-minute mini photo session with JRanae Photography among the stunning decorated Christmas trees in the greenhouse at Landscape Garden Centers.

Participating families also receive 20 percent off Christmas trees.

Photos are offered from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 22 and 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 23.

Reserve your spot here.

Cookie decorating class with Fig Tales

Get in the holiday spirit with a sweet afternoon of cookie decorating led by Stacie from Fig Tales. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn the basics of sugar cookie decorating — from icing consistency and outlining to flooding and details — all with step-by-step guidance from a professional baker.

All supplies are included: cookies, icing, sprinkles and a box to take your beautiful creations home in.

The price is $65 per person and includes five cookies plus all supplies. All participants receive a 20 percent off houseplant coupon!

Click here to purchase tickets.

Looking ahead, upcoming events also include Flowers After Hours, Yoga in the Greenhouse, wreath making workshops and a Sip & Paint.