Our Story
What began as a wholesale-only greenhouse expanded to two locations and ultimately blossomed into a garden center in 2020.
Westside Garden Center is owned by Tim and Kathy. Tim's love for greenhouse work started early-he began working in greenhouses at just 8 years old. In 1987, he opened his first wholesale location in Mattawan, later expanding with a second location in Paw Paw. Kathy built her career in business administration in Kalamazoo and Mattawan before taking over the bookkeeping for the greenhouses in 1995, allowing her to stay home with their growing family.
In 2019, Tim and Kathy had the opportunity to purchase a retail location, and in the spring of 2020, Westside Garden Center officially opened it's doors. They are blessed with four grown children, two son-in-laws, and eight grandchildren.
Our strong local roots keep us grounded and focused on community. We’re proud to offer quality plants and products at fair prices, along with the exceptional customer service you expect from a local business. So stop in to enjoy the beauty of creation-and leave inspired with unique additions for your own gardening spaces.
Bedding Plant Industry History
Did you know that Kalamazoo was once known as the Celery Capital of World? In the late 1800s, Dutch immigrants introduced their celery-growing expertise to the area, and the mucklands provided the ideal soil for cultivation. Commercial growers started their crops in small greenhouses and marketed their celery as "fresh as dew from Kalamazoo". California eventually took over the celery market, and by the late 1950s, the flower industry emerged growing pansies. Kalamazoo County at one time earned the title of 'The Bedding Plant Capital of the World'. Michigan is currently the third largest production state in the nation.
