Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery of Cortez joined the ranks of the horticulture industrys top independent garden centers when it was named the winner of the Southwest Region of the Todays Garden Center Magazines Revolutionary 100 List for 2012.
This is the sixth year in a row that the business has been named to the prestigious Revolution 100 list and the second time they have been named as a regional winner, according to a written statement from Four Seasons. In 2009 they were named the winner of the Western Region, then a change in the way the geographic distribution was made moved Four Seasons into the Southwest Region.
The program, now in its seventh year, surveys independent garden center owners and managers and culminates in a listing of the 100 most revolutionary garden centers in the nation. It is open to all independent garden centers, large and small, and is based on leadership and innovation, not on size or revenue.
This list is comprised of the very best garden centers in our industry and its always an honor to be included on the list. This year its especially so because of the added distinction of winning our region, Vic Vanik, owner of Four Seasons, said in the written statement. He joked, Were the only garden center on the list thats won two different regions without having ever moved the store!
Garden center owners and managers across the United States fill out an extensive online questionnaire covering topics such as customer and community service, management philosophy, marketing, use of technology, purchasing and profitability. The country is divided into five geographic areas and a regional winner is selected from each of those areas. The Southwest Region includes Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma.
Vanik said, During the past year many small businesses have faced a challenging environment and their ability to change and adapt have been vital keys to their success. We began changing our business model several years ago and it has worked beautifully. For a garden center in a rural part of the country, we are so pleased to continue to be included on this list. And to take top honors in our region when youre competing against garden centers in markets like Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas ... thats pretty special.
The garden centers that made this years list are an exceptional group of forward-thinking independent retailers who thrived during a tough economy, which helps their community, said Todays Garden Center Editor Carol Miller. We are proud to call them revolutionary.
Vaniks wife, Gail, was flown to Atlanta in January to accept the award on behalf of Four Seasons. Its always a thrill to be included on this list, but to be able to spend time learning from some of the best in our industry each year is a bonus. To be named the best in our region is an additional honor.
The 2012 Revolutionary 100 Awards program is sponsored by one of the industrys premier garden center events, the IGC Show. More information on the Revolutionary 100, including the complete listing, can be found in the January issue of Todays Garden Center Magazine and at www.Revolutionary100.com.