Seed Cupboard has successful first year, high hopes for second

ROYAL CITY - With blind faith in her promotional efforts and lots of hard work, Lisa Villegas made her Seed Cupboard Nursery profitable in her first year of business in 2013.

That's quite a feat when you consider it's commonly believed a new business won't profit for 3-5 years.

"The support from the Royal Slope, as well as the surrounding areas, was amazing," Lisa said as she started planning for her second year.

"We started out thinking we would sell annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees to the Royal Slope, and that happened," she added. "But we also picked up lots of really great customers from Othello, Mattawa, Desert Aire, Moses Lake, Quincy, Ellensburg and other communities.

Although Seed Cupboard is primarily a nursery, it is becoming a diversified business. Landscaping design and planting has become a big part of the business.

"The designing and planting are fun, and I look to expand this section of the nursery next year." Lisa said.

The containers service was successful. Lisa started out with the idea to plant barrels for businesses and ended up doing many homes. She already has customers asking for this service in 2014.

The fruit stand and gift section of the nursery gave Lisa the opportunity to sell produce from local farmers, which included Tonnemaker Hills Farms, John Loos Farms and others, as well as meeting new people who were traveling through the area. Her visitors included people from Holland, Canada, California, Virginia and many other places.

Lisa had well-planned and well-executed promotional events at the nursery that drew hundreds of people. She participated in community beautification projects.

"Working with the community on the down town planting projects was really great," Lisa said. "It was the first phase of this project, and I think everyone that was involved looks forward to continuing it."

The Fall Festival, at Cupboard Seed, brought in local vendors including Super Sisters pumpkins, The Fryery, Dazzling Disguises and Greenfield Photography. It was a chance to introduce the Garden Grill, which is going to be a great addition to the nursery this year. It also offered a kids carnival and a pumpkin cannon.

"We are so excited to build on this," Lisa said. "We are hoping to expand the kids carnival with some help from a local group. And have more vendors."

The Garden Grill is a food trailer that will be located at the nursery throughout the season. The chef for the grill will be Danielle Smith, who has been one of the chefs at Cave B Resort for the last two years or so.

"She is amazing and will offer a gourmet twist to some of the entries of the grill," Lisa said.

Smith will be offering delicious hamburgers made on homemade buns with homemade hand-cut french fries, some great sandwiches and salads, as well as a special homemade ice cream and dessert. Also a couple of breakfast entries.

"Great for pickup by the farmers or locals in the area," Lisa said. "Or for anyone who would like to enjoy the nursery setting, there are tables."

Another addition to the nursery will be an interior landscaping service. It will offer indoor plants for businesses or homes.

"We will help design office space with the best plants for your office," Lisa said.

This service will offer one time planting to weekly service, as well as decorating for the holidays.

The Seed Cupboard finished 2013 with a Country Christmas. The greenhouse was decorated, and Lisa offered Poinsettias and other Christmas plants, as well as candles, gourmet food items and other gifts. Several vendors brought in homemade items.

"It was a wonderful way to enjoy the season," Lisa said.

The nursery is closed now. Lisa is planting for the new season.

Seed Cupboard will open on Feb. 10 and be ready to offer plants, candles, local chocolates and other gift items for Valentine's Day or just to add some color to your home to help chase away the winter gray.

"We look forward to 2014," Lisa said. "We are so thankful to have a community that has been so supportive."