If there was an award for “The Friendliest Store” in Central Virginia, the Corner Store Garden Supply in Ruckersville would be right up there in the rankings. Sometimes, as consumers, we tip toe into a store, hoping the clerks or owners are in a good mood. Sometimes you feel as though you are interrupting, for example, if the personnel in a nursery or garden shop are busy with some project, as they frequently are. But not at the Corner Store in Ruckersville.
Not long ago, I stopped by the store to try to find an outside gift for a present. The owner, Leonard Lamm, was toting about 6 cartons of plants to a lady’s car, but took the time to greet me and assure that he would return to help if I needed anything.
The Corner Store Garden Supply opened in 1996, next door to Sheetz. They now have one of the best garden supply stores anywhere. A month back, I was looking for some jalapeno plants, since an earlier planting failed. No one else had them, except The Corner Store. Mrs. Lamm helped me select a half-dozen healthy plants and they are now doing famously.
The specialty at The Corner Store is helping to create beautiful gardens.
“Creating a beautiful garden is both an art and a science,” they say. “Our products are chosen with care to ensure that both the artist and the scientist in you will find quality and value that leads to sheer beauty.”
“We work with high quality, local growers to find spectacular flower plants and hardy vegetable plants for the garden throughout the spring and summer. In the fall, you’ll find an amazing variety of local apples, pumpkins, squash, and gourds. During the holidays you’ll love our Christmas trees, wreaths, poinsettias, and garlands.”
The Corner Store also encourages and helps customers plant Monarch Gardens. Since milkweeds and nectar sources are declining due to development and the widespread use of herbicides in croplands, pastures and roadsides, the Lamm’s help their customers create “Monarch Waystations” (monarch habitats) in home gardens, at schools, businesses, and on other unused plots of land.
Incidentally, The Corner Store will host a Monarch Habitat Seminar on Sunday, September 2 from 2 to 3:30 pm.
The Corner Store at 7070 Seminole Trail is a short drive from Charlottesville, about 8 miles north of the airport, beside Sheetz.
Call them at (434) 985-7818 with gardening questions or for more information.