Sweet Peas Garden Shop

Jon Culver was working a restaurant job when he noticed the new garden shop that had opened next door.

It was more than curiosity that made Culver decide to start working there and learn more about garden work from Billy Angell, owner of Oak Street Garden Shop. Outside, feeling the sun on his face and working with his hands, Culver felt like he belonged. After graduating from college, Culver worked at several garden centers but never quite felt that he could be himself — until he opened Sweet Peas in 2002. 

Although Sweet Peas specializes in plants, Culver also carries a variety of pottery, garden accessories, fertilizer options and gardening tools, aiming to be the customer’s total resource garden center.

“There is such a nice mixture of young families and established families [in Homewood],” Culver said. “You can tell they really put a lot of care into their homes, so I figured it would be a great place to open a business like this.”

Today, Culver still works to reflect his eclectic gardening style in his business, from his unique choices in displaying his plants, to the garden accessories he sells, to the colorfully painted car parked in front of his shop.

As customers enter the gift shop or grounds, Culver greets many of them by name and asks about their needs for the season. His greatest goals in owning Sweet Peas are to be involved directly with his customers, create a non-intimidating environment and set up displays that provide shoppers with ideas for their own gardens. 

“I don’t want people to feel intimidated that they don’t know what a certain plant is or afraid that they will ask a stupid question,” Culver said. “I want to be able to relate to people on a level that they can understand.”

Culver’s favorite community activity that Sweet Peas puts on is its annual autumn art show. This event allows local artists to set up an area at Sweet Peas to showcase and sell their art at no cost to the artists. Featuring live music and a food truck, the inspiration of the atmosphere is that of a “mini farmers market,” engaging the community and business neighbors, Culver said. 

“I am in awe and humbled by the support of everyone in Homewood,” Culver said. “I think that they go out of their way to shop here. There is a strong sense of supporting community business here.”