In 1987, a business was rooted in the community that cultivated not only plants but a community of gardeners, too. This garden center has been rooted in the community for 38 years, and the family-owned oasis of greenery and seasonal joy continues to grow.
Sunnyside Gardens is a local garden center, greenhouse, and nursery that inspires the community to ‘Live in color.’ The garden center was founded by Kevin McCracken and later purchased in 2019 by his son and current owner, Aaron McCracken.
Aaron recollects his dad combining his love for business and horticulture at its original location for 32 years and imprinting a similar passion onto him along the way.
“When he was in the process of starting his own business, we planted a bunch of little spruce seedlings in our backyard in preparation for the new nursery,” Aaron said. “That's one of my earliest memories of planting something.”
In 1987, Kevin was working at a local Ace Hardware store when the owners decided to leave the garden side of the business and sold it to him. In 1999, Aaron began working alongside him where he worked at the center on and off for 20 years. When his dad retired, he decided to continue growing the business.
“I learned a lot from him, and we learned a lot together too as we've grown,” Aaron said. “The previous generation teaches you a lot, but you're always learning as you go.”
Aaron grew up watching his parents and grandparents in the garden, so it only makes sense that gardening is his innate nature.
“Seeing something created out of nothing or out of a little seed, that's what I really enjoy about it,” Aaron said. “I like growing things. Growing people, growing a business, and growing plants. It all kind of goes hand in hand.”
When Aaron became owner of the business, one of his first ideas was to expand the center at a new location. “It was nice to start fresh and design it just the way we wanted it,” he said. “Our goal was to create a space where people felt happy when they were here.” The new facility fostered new growth among plants, employees, and customers.
What makes this space stand out is that they grow all of their own annuals and vegetables, so whatever a customer needs, they have on hand. Next to the main store is a large greenhouse and eight production greenhouses in the back where a wide variety of plants are planted at the beginning of each year.
The full-service garden center is set up to help customers be more successful in their gardening journey, and the business takes delight in being a part of the community. Aside from a wide range of plants, flowers, trees, seeds, and fertilizers, educational events and classes are offered here.
“We love contributing to the place where we live,” Aaron said. “We love sponsoring community events and donating to good causes. I love driving around and seeing our plants in people's yards and just the joy it brings to people.”
Whether you’re a beginner or master gardener, Sunnyside Gardens has the tools you need to succeed through each season.
“We love being a part of beautifying the community,” Aaron said.
For More Information
Sunnyside Gardens
3240 E Sunnyside Rd.
208-522-4660
www.sunnysidegardens.net
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.