Art Knapp Kelowna returns to its roots as plant nursery
Garden centre on Springfield Road closes as operations consolidated at nursery on Benvoulin
Art Knapp Kelowna is going back to the future by returning to its plant nursery roots.
Earlier this week, the Art Knapp Plantland & Florists store at 1994 Springfield Rd. closed after 34 years of operation.
Art Knapp will now operate exclusively out of what was the second, sister, nursery location at 2550 Benvoulin Rd.
“Springfield was a garden centre that got into selling clothing and giftware,” said owner Jeff Vander Zalm.
“We’re going back to our nursery roots of plants and soils on Benvoulin.”
That means no more clothing or giftware, no more florist and even fewer plant pots, containers and accessories.
The Agricultural Land Reserve zoning at the Benvoulin site limits retail operations, so the superfluous lines are being dropped.
The Benvoulin site has been open to the public for more than 20 years, selling plants, trees, shrubs and soils. It developed a loyal clientele who loved the no-frills retail concept.
Those who wanted to pick up a dress or greeting card along with their bedding plants frequented the Springfield location.
The transition saw two Springfield employees retire and two florist workers find jobs at other flower shops.
Otherwise, most of the Springfield employees have made the move to Benvoulin, where there are now 25 employees.
The Benvoulin site closes every year from the end of October to March.
That means no Christmas tree, decoration and ornament sales.
The Springfield store was open year-round and did the Christmas season up big.
Vander Zalm made the decision a year ago to sell the Springfield location and consolidate on Benvoulin.
By February, the Springfield property had been sold to a family trust in Richmond.
The trust has no immediate plans for the plot, but redevelopment is expected.
It could potentially be a high-density development because there are condominium buildings in the vicinity rising four and five storeys, and even 14 storeys in the case of the INvue tower at 2040 Springfield Rd.
Vander Zalm also owns the Konquer motorcycle dealership off Highway 97 at McCurdy Place.