by Zack Lamothe.
Looking for a fine selection of perennials, annuals and seasonal plants? Check out Roxann’s Garden Center in Fairhaven. Roxann’s Garden Center is owned and operated by Roxanne Rupkus. She started her greenhouse and garden center 25 years ago. While the garden center offers a full breadth of offerings, she also sells her wares at local farmers markets. On Fridays, Roxanne can be found at the Brockton Farmer’s Market and on Saturdays at the Huttleston Marketplace in Fairhaven, located in front of the Fairhaven Visitor’s Center.
While the garden center offers a wide variety of products, what she brings to the markets are three specific products: organic soaps, herbs, and houseplants. Roxanne explains what the customer will expect at the garden center, “The Garden Center is year-round. For example, in the fall we have mums and in December, Christmas trees and wreaths. In the warmer weather, we sell houseplants, hanging annuals, flowers, perennials, and herbs.” In contrast, the farmers markets only focus on three products. You can find Roxanne almost weekly at the Brockton Farmers Market and she clearly enjoys being a vendor at it. Regarding her time at the farmers market, Roxanne relates, “I just love being there, the people are great!”
One of Roxanne’s most popular products is her line of organic soaps. When asked about the soaps, since much of what she sells are plants, Roxanne explains that she started making soaps during the slow winter season. For her handmade soaps, she uses only natural ingredients for the scents. For instance, the lemongrass or the lavender comes right from her greenhouses. She even makes her own organic vanilla soap with Madagascar vanilla beans. The soaps that she makes are cold-pressed, which take six weeks to cure. “I start making them during the winter and then can sell them during the summer,” she explains. Similar to preparing a garden or growing plants, soap-making is a process that is set by a timed schedule.
Being in the business for 25 years, Roxanne has witnessed a changing attitude among consumers. Customers are often looking for artisanal, craft,, or homemade products in comparison to years past when mass-marketed goods were the standard. Words such as “organic,” “vegan,” and “natural” are on many patrons’ mind and have made businesses like Roxann’s Garden Center in line with the times. Roxanne shares, “People have gone toward more natural products within the last 25 years. They definitely look for organic products and products made by small businesses. All of those things are important.” Not only do her soap ingredients fit the bill, so do her plants. She uses organic fertilizer, thus her plants such as her herbs have not been touched by chemicals.
While at the Brockton Farmer’s Market, the Huttleston Marketplace, or Roxann’s Garden Center at 189 Alden Road in Fairhaven, make sure to check out what Roxanne Rupkus has to offer. From seasonal plants to organic soaps, to gorgeous hanging house plants, Roxann’s Garden Center is the place for all of your plant-based needs.
