Vicki's Garden & Gifts in Spokane
Our Story
Vicki's Garden & Gifts is part of Lima Greenhouses and is proud to be the newest addition to a 4th generation family owned and operated business. Lima Greenhouses were originally established in 1930 by Henry Gothmann as Gothmann Greenhouse. As the business continued to expand, it remained a wholesale operation. In 2012 the Lima family opened Vicki's Garden & Gifts to the public. Vicki's Garden & Gifts is proud to offer a wide range of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, baskets and planters as well as plant care essentials, and decor.
Our Journey: From a Small Greenhouse to a Flourishing Garden Center
In 1947, after returning from the war, Cecil and Kay Jared, along with their family, purchased Gothmann's greenhouse on Inland Empire Way. Cecil began by selling U-Dig pansies in a field and gradually grew bedding plants in the greenhouses, maintaining a small nursery and produce house.
By 1970, their daughter and son-in-law, Ed and Marian Lima, took over and expanded the business into a large wholesale greenhouse. They supplied plants to large chain stores, landscapers, fundraisers, and the Hagadone Corporation.
In 2012, Eddie Lima, the only son of Ed and Marian, along with his wife Vicki, embraced the opportunity to follow in the family's footsteps. They managed the day-to-day operations and ventured into contract growing.
However, with the sudden closing of one of their major accounts, Shopko Stores, the Limas found themselves with an abundance of plants and no destination for them. Vicki, fueled by her passion for plants and people, decided to open Vicki’s Garden and Gifts. With much success and happy customers, Vicki’s Garden and Gifts thrived, continuing to grow in every sense of the word.
Looking ahead, our future plans are to see the 4th generation of the Lima family and the 5th generation of 7 grandchildren continue to grow and expand. Excitingly, we are planning to open a second Vicki’s Garden Center soon. Stay tuned for more details!
Lima Greenhouses was originally only a wholesale provider but Vicki knew there was a need for affordable, quality product that was grown and tended by people who knew what they were doing. Vicki's Garden & Gifts opened in 2012 and carried only annuals and perennials. In just one year the center expanded to carry herbs, fruit and vegetable plants and a line of gardening supplies and beautiful yard decor.
Now their children have joined them in running the business.
Sons, Joe and Nick are the head growers and their younger daughter, Nichole, splits her time between being a shipping manager and working in the office. In all, the company employs about 50 people from Washington to Idaho with their two growing facilities and Vicki's Garden Center.