Gardener's Supply Company

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Gardener's Supply Company
TypeEmployee-Owned
IndustryRetail
FounderWill Raap
Headquarters128 Intervale Rd. Burlington, VT
Number of locations
3 retail stores (2018)
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Will Raap, Co-Founder/Chairman. Alan Newman, Co-Founder.
ProductsGardening items
Number of employees
220 (2014)
Websitewww.gardeners.com

Gardener's Supply Company is an employee-owned company providing environmentally friendly gardening products and information through its website, catalogs, and retail stores.

The Gardener’s Supply Company headquarters in Burlington, Vermont, include administrative offices, a retail store and display gardens. An additional retail store, outlet, and display gardens are located in Williston, Vermont.

In 2014, Gardener's Supply Company became B Corp-certified.[1]

Employee Stock Ownership Program[]

In December 2009, founder Will Raap sold the majority ownership of Gardener’s Supply Company to its employees, officially making the company 100% employee-owned through its Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP).[2] The ESOP was adopted in 1987 to allow all employees to earn stock and share in company profits.[3] Current CEO Jim Feinson said the employee-owned company has also developed "a community culture of support" that offers benefits and flexibility to its employees, including encouraging them to make their own schedules.[4]

Founder, Will Raap[]

In 1983, his interest in food systems led gardener and businessman Will Raap to found Gardener's Supply. He moved his company to five acres at the entrance to the , 350 acres of neglected land located in Burlington, Vermont,[5] in 1985. Raap also helped found the non-profit Intervale Center in 1988. As of 2014 it is home to several sustainable businesses in addition to Gardener's Supply Company, including food and flower farms, a café and a market.[6]

Community Involvement and Support[]

Gardener's Supply Company donates 8% of pre-tax profits to gardening-related community programs and organizations.[1] Organizations supported by Gardener’s Supply include the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA), the Green Education Foundation (GEF) and AmpleHarvest.org.

The company established the Garden Crusader Awards[7] to honor individuals who improve their communities through gardening.

Gardener's Supply Company is a Champion Member of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), a non-profit trade organization that advances business ethics through education, public influence and workplace quality.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "B Corp Community, Gardener's Supply Company". Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  2. ^ Patrick, Josh. "The Questions to Ask Before Adopting an ESOP". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  3. ^ Teague, Allison. "Cindy Turcot Grows a Company and Profits for Employees". Vermont Woman. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  4. ^ Monty, Lynn. "The push to help workers with flex-time, paid leave". www.burlingtonfreepress.com. Burlington Free Press. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  5. ^ "The Intervale Center: History". Community Food Enterprise. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  6. ^ "The Intervale Center: Introduction". Community Food Enterprise. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  7. ^ de Morsella, Tracey. "Gardener's Supply Invites Nominations for Garden Crusader Awards". The Green Economy Post. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  8. ^ "About VBSR". Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility. Retrieved 21 April 2014.

External links[]

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