Written by Abby Chadwick. Photo courtesy of Abby Chadwick.
It sounds silly to say “plants are trendy,” but it’s true. Seemingly, every member of Generation Z has collectively developed a green thumb, and becoming a “plant parent” is the recent craze. That’s where STUMP comes in: a sustainable plant store that opened up in Savannah almost a year ago. Their brand is dedicated to inspiring a sense of confidence in plant owners, as well as providing them with a personalized one-on-one customer service experience. That statement certainly holds true, as the moment I walked through the door, I was greeted by Helen Nichols, one of STUMP’s employees. Helen was completely willing to help me in all my plant-based questions, as well as tell me a bit about their experience with the company.
“When I was a student, I furnished my whole house with plants basically. So when STUMP put out that they were hiring on their Instagram I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I love small businesses, I love plants, it’s right next to some of my classes, easy peasy!’ Also, I’m from Philly, and there’s two STUMP locations there.”
Although Helen first heard about the company in Philly, that’s not where STUMP got its start. The first store opened up in Columbus, Ohio in September 2015. Since then, they have opened up seven more locations: four in Ohio, two in Philadelphia, one in Milwaukee then of course, the Savannah location. Each of these locations prides themselves in being significantly smaller and more inclusive than any other commercial garden center, creating a more inviting space for plant lovers (experienced and non.) STUMP also sets itself apart by selling sustainable plants. “I love the idea that they’re kind of like pets in that way,” said Helen. “It’s not like ‘Oh, I’m going to buy a plant and it’ll die the next day.’ It’s something that really grows with you.” Not only are their plants sustainable, but all of their pots and wares are as well. 99% of STUMP’s wares come from independent artists and local manufacturers around the country––they’re truly built to last.
Lastly, I asked Helen about their favorite part of the workday. “I would say, probably just getting to interact with people,” Helen replied. “I enjoy helping people learn and curate their home. People get really excited about that, and I love being able to share it with them. It also helps that the store feels more like a meditative space rather than the typical work environment.”
So, if you’re a “plant parent” in Savannah, or looking to become one, STUMP is the place for you. Find out more through their website or by connecting with their Instagram below.
Instagram: @stump_savannah
