Small Business - The Pulse of Plymouth County

John D. Rockefeller once wrote: "The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well." This roadmap to success typifies the hopes and dreams of thousands of entrepreneurs who open small businesses. In Plymouth County, there are thousands of small businesses tending to the needs and wants

FLOWERLAND GARDEN CENTER

50 Wapping Road, Rte. 106

Kingston

What do Flowerland Garden Center on Route 106 in Kingston and venerable Fenway Park in Boston have in common? Both are treasured, local institutions that are now undergoing renovation, expansion and revitalization under new ownership. They have something else in common, too, so read on.

Brad Colton of Flowerland

Our focus, of course, is on the flourishing Plymouth County small business called Flowerland that has been in operation at the same location since the 1950's. Just ask Cynthia Truskowski, she'll tell you. She remembers it from when she was a little girl living right behind the property. When she was old enough, she strolled over and started helping out. She's still working there, advising customers on the right seed, fertilizer and mulch for their garden or lawn. Still pampering the perennials, annuals and all the other beautiful plants nurtured and sold there. According to new owner, Brad Colton, the personal touch is something you can't have too much of in a place that connects people to the earth and its growing cycles.

Colton, who grew up in Duxbury, took ownership of Flowerland in Kingston only last October 1st. He takes great pride in talking about the history of the business and the continuity of what he proposes to do with it. He knows that it's a place that goes way back in people's lives, and wants to rekindle the memories of the one-stop garden center, while establishing it also as a comfortable and fun place for families to bring kids, have some fun, relax and, of course, pick up some greenery.

He's put in a pond, created by a company called Aquascape Design, with waterfalls and little streams. He has recently added fish to the pond and talks about having a little petting zoo and even a miniature train to take kids around the 2 1/2 acre property.

Colton's plans include a regular schedule of educational events, such as demonstrations and talks by well-known gardening experts and celebrities. On July 24, expert gardener and national radio personality, Paul Parent will be broadcasting his show live from 6 - 10 am followed by a "meet and greet" with Paul from 10 am - 2 pm.

This is a career and life change for Brad Colton, and he's as excited as a little kid about the prospects of a re-flowering Flowerland. His enthusiasm may stem from his days as a college and professional baseball player. He played Double A ball after being drafted by the Seattle Mariners and, for sure, baseball sharpened his instincts and taught him what it means to work for something you love. So now you see what Flowerland and Fenway have in common-baseball! Not to mention lots of green. 781-585-4595.

ELFCOR BED & BREAKFAST

876 Main Street, Rte. 27

Hanson

As you enter the gated driveway leading to ELFCOR, the charming bed & breakfast off Route 27 in Hanson, you're likely to find owner Fred Corrigan working on a fence, or edging a garden, or working in his artists' studio finishing an intricate rocking horse. For both Fred and his equally busy wife, Ellen, creating the only B & B in the Hanson and Whitman area, has been a labor of love, as well as a sound business decision. In fact, the two charmingly-decorated rooms that they've got available have been mostly occupied since they opened in November of 2004.

In Plymouth County, there are more than fifty B & Bs, each a reflection of its owner's individual taste and talent. ELFCOR is one of the newest. Walking through, one is struck by the exquisite attention to detail throughout, an example of the artistic ingenuity, hard work and desire to please that infuses the Corrigans.

The stately home on an acre and a half of land was built in 1920. The Corrigans, who already owned and ran a B & B on the Cape, saw the house for sale one day and took it on as an opportunity to change direction and get away from the Cape's hustle and bustle. They purchased it in June of 2004, spent a great deal of time and effort redoing the property inside and out, and had it ready for the November opening.

The unusual name, ELFCOR, is from ELlen & Fred CORrigan. The house has the distinction of being the home for a while of Brockton's own Rocky Marciano, the undefeated world heavyweight boxing champion from 1952 to 1956.

In addition to the B&B, it is worth stopping in to visit Fred's Art Studio, in which you'll find displayed his many wood sculptures and fascinating collections of, among other things, sports memorabilia and framed original cartoon animation art. 781293-1421, www.elfcor.com.

HOLLYBERRIES COUNTRY GIFTS

51 Center Street

Middleborough

Hollyberries Country Gifts & Collectibles in Middleboro is one of those warm, aromatic (from all the candles) gift shops that one expects to find in any small-town tourist center. Its welt-lit, densely populated floor space and shelves contain everything from country furniture, knickknacks, home decorating items and accessories to wallpaper borders. And of course, wall plaques with homespun sayings to convey any mood. My favorites: "Good morning ... let the stress begin," and: "There will be no crisis this week ... my schedule if full."

The idea that running Hollyberries is either stressful or heaped with crises seems farfetched when you talk with the friendly and relaxed Frank Colby, who opened the store along with his wife, Cindy. The couple, who live in Carver, saw an opportunity in the growing town of Middleboro and Hollyberries is the result. Their foray into the gift shop business has been very successful for them, and for the revived downtown business section of Middleboro on Center Street, at the stop light in the middle of town.

Once empty storefronts have come alive in the past few years, so that it's become a town center you want to go to. There's a bank, card shop, pizza shop, flower store, children's wear and furniture store, a bakery, athletic goods store, travel agency, barbershop and more. Right in the middle of it all is the Colby's large, 1800 square foot store with its fresh and spicy old-time ambiance.

Hollyberries has become a Middleboro favorite and been recognized locally and regionally. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts nominated Hollyberries as its 2004 "Rookie of the Year," and it received the honor of being named 2004 "New Business of the Year" by the Cranberry Country Chamber of Commerce." 508-947-7304.