New West Dundee boutique 'a support group for plant parenthood'
Even on the gloomiest of days, there's something about a house full of greenery that reminds Laura Triphahn of sunshine.
The West Dundee resident has amassed a collection of plants over the years, and with it, a wealth of knowledge on how to grow and care for them. Now she's using that passion and self-taught expertise to launch a boutique nursery focused more on experiences than sales.
Opening Friday in downtown West Dundee, Trippots will offer a variety of succulents, cactuses and house plants, along with trendy gifts and home decor, Triphahn said. But it also will have a unique space for do-it-yourself planting workshops and classes on plant care - "a support group for plant parenthood," she said.
"We have a little niche here," Triphahn said. "A lot of people nowadays want so much more than shopping. They want something hands-on that they can do themselves - something they can create and personalize."
The family-run shop has purchased and made minor renovations to the building at 102 W. Main St., which formerly housed DreamCo Design. An enclosed conference room was transformed into a "show-and-grow" classroom that will be visible from the main store area, Triphahn said. A kitchenette was turned into a bar area for serving beer and wine.
"We want to lose some of that retail attitude," she said. "We want to be a place where people can come and hang out, and you can bring your friends or meet new friends and have an experience."
To accommodate the business model, West Dundee officials updated the liquor code earlier this year to allow beer and wine sales for on-site consumption at arts, crafts and entertainment studios. A liquor license was granted to Trippots this week.
Village officials have fully embraced the concept in its downtown, where they have been working the past few years to generate foot traffic and attract a mix of businesses, said Tim Scott, community development director.
Trippots is the latest addition to a cluster of home-centric shops in the area, which "furthers our collective desire to see downtown as more of a destination," he said. "These specialty retailers not only add flavor to the community, but are vital complements to the village's dining and entertainment options."
During its first month of operation, Trippots will offer walk-in classes on weekends to give patrons a chance to try out holiday-themed plant projects, Triphahn said. Then starting in January, the shop is launching a full rotating schedule of five plant workshops per month offered during five time slots throughout the week.
Some may be centered around creating projects, while others will focus on care and maintenance, she said. All the supplies and instructional tools are provided.
Trippots will have special hours from noon to 9 p.m. Friday in coordination with the village's Dickens in Dundee festival. Regular hours will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, according to its website.