A while ago, Holly Pilcavage sent her friend, Sara Crolick, a photo of an empty business space in the city and asked if they should start the plant shop they always talked about.
Sara Crolick didn't hesitate and immediately agreed to the idea, and they started working on it.
Their idea of opening a plant shop has now become a reality.
Evergreen WB, at 27 E. North Hampton St., officially opened on March 7 and offers a selection of carefully chosen house plants and cacti.
The shop also sells handmade pottery, cards, soap, jewelry, and more, created by local artists and craftspeople.
In the coming months, the owners plan to organize community workshops, some focusing on plants and others on topics of interest to the community.
The owners were surprised by the strong turnout during their soft opening, which led them to quickly restock their inventory.
The shop received support from the Spark Wilkes-Barre grant program, which helps new businesses in the city get started and remain sustainable.
The owners feel privileged to be part of the current rejuvenation of Wilkes-Barre and are excited to see many new shops opening in the area.
Both owners are proud of their achievements, especially considering their other work and personal commitments.
Holly Pilcavage, who graduated from the University of Scranton and the University of Akron, currently heads Coal Creative and is involved with various community organizations.
Sara Crolick, a mother of three with a BA in English from Wilkes University, serves as the editorial director of Kooth, an online mental health service for school-aged children.
Although it's challenging, they have managed to balance their various responsibilities.
However, they faced challenges along the way.
When they received their first batch of inventory, which was delivered during the coldest week of the winter, the plants suffered from the cold and transportation, arriving in poor condition.
As a result, they now personally select and collect every plant sold in the shop from greenhouses, considering their customers' preferences.
Customers often praise the health and appearance of the plants, which the owners attribute to their careful and thorough selection process.
Customers who buy from Evergreen WB receive important information on how to care for their plants, including watering frequency, light requirements, and whether the plant is suitable for pets.
This venture into the world of plant care stemmed from their love and concern for plant life.
Pilcavage's plant obsession began when she moved into her own apartment in 2017 and had little money for furniture.
She started purchasing plants because, depending on the type, they were more affordable and helped to fill up the space.
As her financial situation improved, her collection of plants grew.
She dedicated the front space of her apartment to a plant room, creating an oasis for herself.
Crolick, while living in Denver, bought plants to feel connected to her home and her father, who she described as having an exceptional talent for gardening.
She sees plants as a vital source of comfort in her life, allowing her to relax and even talking to them before selling them.
The co-owners also aim to create a vibrant community to showcase local talented creators.
In the coming weeks, at least 25 artists will exhibit their work in the store.
Evergreen currently offers artists 70/30 payment terms and allows them to have full control over the pricing of their inventory.
Pilcavage believes this approach is beneficial for artists and places their interests first.
The Evergreen WB store is open on Thursday and Friday from noon to 7 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Interested in joining the Evergreen Collective? Head to the store's Facebook page to complete the online form.
