Plymouth Online Gardening Retailer Plans On-Site Sales

An online gardening retailer in Plymouth could soon offer in-store sales if it receives city approval.

Grow Supplies MN, which has offices at 10730 Hwy. 55, is looking to expand operations to include on-site retail sales of gardening supplies, hardware and specialty items for indoor gardening.

“This initiative will not only enhance current service offerings but also provide a unique shopping experience for local residents interested in indoor gardening but lacking the hardware to do it,” read a letter from the company in city planning documents.

The company needs a zoning text amendment to allow on-site sales, since its located in a C-3 Highway Commercial District, which is geared toward high traffic and visibility from major roadways. A wide range of businesses are allowed in C-3 zoning that includes everything from sporting goods stores and bicycle shops to furniture businesses and brewpub restaurants. Big box hardware stores are not allowed in this type of zoning. 

The zoning change would allow hardware stores of no more than 3,000 square feet of indoor floor space.

Kip Berglund, senior planner for the city of Plymouth, noted at the March 4 planning commission meeting that Plymouth has large big box hardware stores, but not the smaller ones. He pointed out that Maple Grove does have the smaller hardware stores that are situated in areas similar to the location of Grow Supplies MN.

“Why have we not seen this earlier?” asked Marc Anderson, member of the Plymouth Planning Commission.

“I don’t know the answer to that,” said Berglund.

Berglund said he couldn’t think of a downside to the proposed change, which was described as “a very modest” adjustment to the list of permitted uses.

“The positive side is that it’s opening the opportunity for other businesses to come to town that we haven’t seen in these particular areas,” said Berglund.

The Plymouth Planning Commission recommended approval. The request will go before the Plymouth City Council, which is expected to take up the matter at its March 24 meeting.

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