Today’s Focus on Wallingford is featuring Hometown Garden Center owned by Agnes and Justin Royea. The Royea’s have become great friends of mine in recent years. Justin also owns a Wallingford landscaping company called Q-River, LLC and a few winters ago when New England was “drowning in snow” Justin dug out Impressions when it seemed no other plow could! Since then I’ve hired his team to do the studio’s plowing and landscaping. I’m never disappointed in the service they offer. When I found out he and his wife owned Hometown Garden Center, I definitely had to pop my head in!

I specifically decided to feature Hometown Garden Center in the month of December because of the awesome Holiday related items they have. One extra special treat that they have to offer (on the days that aren’t 60 degrees and blindingly sunny) is hot cocoa and a bonfire area you can cuddle up in after shopping. I sat down with Justin and Agnes to see what else they had to say about their business, you can read about it below!

"Hometown Garden Center started out as a little dream between two people who really wanted a place to call their own; a place that people could rely on a good deal, honest smile and handshake.  

It all began with a borrowed lawn mower and trailer.  A weekend warrior, as some would say, is how we started out in the landscape industry. We had a plan and a model that allowed for a rapid growth but with that there is always bumps and changes along the way.  In any business you have to learn to adapt to what the consumer needs and wants.  We had an increase of customers looking for specialty landscape supplies and ornamental trees. The need for these items made us want a place we could take the customer so that they could see and touch the supplies we would be using on their property.

After spending countless weekends going to other garden centers, we finally decided it was time to do it on our own. Five years ago a friend had a property that would be available for lease and it seemed the right fit for our hometown vision. We had a cleared lot and a used trailer we purchased and brought to the site.

Fast forward to today, from that little trailer that is still there, we now have three greenhouses and display walkways and patio with a fire pit and much more.  The winter holidays are especially fun for us because we get to share our love for festive decorations and just seasonal cheer.  Christmas trees, planters and wreaths are all displayed each with their own style and character.  We have a little hayride that Santa goes on with our customers on weekends and we have the famous Wallingford's "Talking Rudolph". After Vinny's Garden Center closed we were able to relocate Rudolph to his new home with us, so that all his older patrons could create that tradition for their little ones. 

We want people to be comfortable coming to us in all four seasons for any landscape need they may have. If you have questions about any of our services do not hesitate to stop in and say hello. We want you to feel welcome and also excited to turn your landscape to an escape all year long!!!! Wishing you all the best in the New Year!"

Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s Focus on Wallingford! Keep your eyes peeled to see our next post and if you’re interested in having your business featured feel free to contact us HERE!

Today may be Black Friday but tomorrow is Small Business Saturday! In lieu of our favorite studio project, Focus on Wallingford, we wanted to remind you of some of our favorite local businesses. On behalf of ourselves and these places, we want to thank you for your business and loyalty! Shopping local not only benefits your town but families and people who are just like you and doing something they love for work. Although it may cost a little more at times, you can't put a price tag on the added customer service and knowledge of these business owners. Enjoy these few weeks of the holiday season and the new year! Don't forget to shop local tomorrow and all year long.

You heard right, Focus on Wallingford is back! There’s so many businesses to feature we weren’t sure where to begin so we went with one of our favorite places, which is located right in the center of it all. The Dressing Room is a high fashion boutique with great prices and customer service. Its storefront is right on the corner of Main and Center Street at the top of the hill. The owner, Chris and I, have become friends while working on a number of projects together and I admire her love for fashion, approach to client relationships and work ethic. We met up with Chris and asked her to tell us a little about her store, read below!

“With 25+ years of business experience both in the corporate world and as a business owner, it is a joy to incorporate my love of fashion, my passion to empower women and my creativity into The Dressing Room Boutique. I have worked in the world of finance with a fortune 100 company as well as in the position of CFO for an insurance brokerage that my husband founded. I then followed my passion into the world of fashion and currently am the CEO of CM Clothing, Inc. which includes my clothing line Gogirlwrapperz, my retail store The Dressing Room Boutique and my online store The Dressing Room 24-7. www.thedressingroom24-7.com. I just recently partnered with Shoptiques.com which is a global e-commerce site of the best boutiques from all over the world. Just last week we shipped our first order to the UK!

I discovered Wallingford when my oldest daughter Ashley, was attending Choate Rosemary Hall. I loved the charm of the town and have come to love the multi-generational families that live here. It is a privilege to have earned the trust of so many women who come to us to dress them for some of the most important and memorable days of their lives. Whether it’s a wedding, anniversary, reunion, gala or any special occasion where any old dress just won’t do. Our customers know they can rely on us to put them in something that makes them feel beautiful.

In 2012, I was able to expand the store when the frame shop next door went out of business. We were able to double the square footage of the store, add dressing rooms and expand our formal wear offerings. Now half of the store is dedicated to sportswear, jewelry, accessories and shoes and the other half dresses and gowns. We carry everything from denim to evening gowns and all things in between.

One of the things I love about being a business owner is collaborating with other businesses and organizations in town to promote each other and improve the community. Recently we held our 6^th Annual Fundraiser in collaboration with The Rotary for the Liberty Bank Thanksgiving Day Project. We put on a Fashion Show and donate a portion of all sales to feed the homeless at Thanksgiving. It was a huge success and a record breaking year. I am thrilled to be able to make a nice donation to such a great cause.

We have some fun events coming up in the month of December with the Holiday Stroll in conjunction with Wallingford Center Inc. and a fun ladies night we are hosting with local Fashion Blogger and makeup artist Jenna Poitras. Just a few of the fun things we will be participating with other folks and organizations in the near future.

Please stop in just to introduce yourself, browse around and let us help you in any way we can. Our saying is “Enter as Strangers and Leave as Friends.” 

Make sure to poke your head into The Dressing Room this holiday season and keep an eye on the blog to see what other Wallingford businesses we feature in the coming weeks! 

If you are a Wallingford business owner and interested in being featured in FOW in the coming weeks, feel free to contact us HERE.

Two of my favorite senior sessions (and the two most popular) we offer here at Impressions are the "Art" and "Fashion" sessions. They allow both myself and the senior to get outside and express ourselves a little more than when we are in the studio. In years past our senior season has slowed down or completely come to an end by late September due to yearbook deadlines. The last two years though, the deadlines have gotten later and busier summer schedules have allowed us to book through October and get outside with the fall foliage! It has been so much fun showcasing the colors and variety of fall fashion. 

On the Impressions property I try to decorate and utilize  the landscaping as much as possible. Whether it’s including the hanging plants or changing out the potted plants to mums, I think keeping things fresh and seasonal helps add some variety to the images. When going on location I love the challenge of showing up and choosing the most dynamic angles to show off the colors and light of the season. I know how happy it makes our clients as well. One of the perks of living in New England is the change of the leaves. Every season provides a different energy to your images but theres something about the feeling of fall that I love the most.