Gobsmacked and proud.
These are just a few of the things Aisha Arnold, branch manager of Stodels Bellville, felt when the nursery walked away as the winner of the national competition for Garden Centre of the Year for 2022 by the South African Nursery Association in June.
“I was obviously delighted at the time, but it only really sunk in days later what a massive achievement this was,” Arnold says.
Even though the nursery has won Best Garden Centre in the Western Cape twice before, this is their first time winning the national award.
Stodels in Milnerton was the last branch to win the prize in 2013.
Arnold says when they were nominated, they didn’t add any pressure themselves to win.
“At the start of summer and winter seasons every year as a company we prepare our stores in a way that ‘announces’ the start of the season. So we would do inspirational and innovative displays, highlighting trends and putting together concepts that our customers might want to copy and/or improve on to create beautiful and happy spaces in their homes.”
When judges arrived late in March or early in April they probably saw this.
“The team did a phenomenal job to meet these expectations.”
Arnold, like the others on her team, is exceptionally proud of what their store does – especially given the size.
The store in Bellville has 77 full-time staff, as well as 20 to 30 part-time or weekend staff. They’re open from 08:30 to 18:00 on weekdays and are only closed on Christmas and New Years Day.
“We were forced to do things a little differently during covid and the drought,” says Arnold. We took a step back and focused on what their clients want in times like these.
A result of this is the little pockets of interest all over the store – something for everyone.
They also have innovative ideas, like a 100% guarantee. If your plant dies (for whatever reason) you can take it back, given you remember the till slip. They hope this encourages people to ask what and how they can improve their gardening.
“We want to create successful gardeners.”
Another important part of their store is their play area, which was also recently upgraded. People can come here for free, aren’t forced to buy anything and have their children play for as long as they want.
They want Stodels to be a place people remember fondly and come back to again.
Stodels is turning 60 this year and Arnold says to keep and eye out for specials in the coming months.
