Take it or leaf it: Algoma’s largest garden centre listed for $2M

Ownership at one of the region’s most well-known greenhouses is hoping to plant a seed in the real estate market.

New North Greenhouses, proudly regarded as the largest garden centre in the Algoma region, has been listed by Century21 Choice Realty Inc. for $1,990,000.

Sitting on 20 acres of land near the Sault Ste. Marie Airport, the garden centre first opened in 1992 after New North Greenhouses had been running as a tree seedling nursery and bedding plant operation.

Thirty-one years later, the garden centre is recognized as a thriving horticultural hub where residents can browse and select from a wide range of locally grown plants, produce, and other products, primarily in the months between April and October.

In a press release issued on Thursday, New North’s owner John Carroll says the business had doubled its revenue since he took the helm in 2018.

Eyeing retirement, Carroll is now looking for a buyer who would further develop and expand the operations in the city’s north end.

“Until the right owner or group takes over, the garden centre will continue its operations without interruption,” the release stated. “Customers can expect the same level of service excellence. The current owner is willing to stay on to assist the new owner with the transition and has very loyal managers/staff that would like to stay with business if the new owner wishes.”

According to the listing, New North Greenhouses consists of nearly 88,000 square feet of buildings that include multiple greenhouses with new poly-carbonated skins, natural gas heaters, a massive shopping garden centre updated with new poly-carbonated skins, five drilled wells, irrigation systems, maintenance rooms, offices and a lunchroom.

The sale also includes an extensive list of chattels, machinery, updated point of sale, and inventory in place for the 2024 season.

Recently retiring as New North’s garden centre manager after 31 years, Susan Richards told SooToday she believes the business has the capabilities to operate during all four seasons of the year.

“I was hoping before I retired it was going to be a year-round operation,” she said. “I didn’t hit that goal, but I think somebody really could if they were willing to invest in it. There’s a lot of potential out there for a year-round business, doing all the seasons, events, workshops – it would be a good business out there.

John Carroll’s son Robert, who helps with the operational side at the greenhouse and owns Due North Cannabis, is looking forward to seeing what – or who – lies ahead over the coming weeks and months.

“We really hope that we can find the right owner or potential group who can continue to prop us this institution of horticulture here in the Sault,” he said. “We really want to make sure it goes into capable hands, and also somebody who will understand the legacy there.”

“There will be absolutely no disruption to service at New North – it’s business as usual,” he added. “We’re willing to take our time with this process. We have a very loyal customer base, so it’s important to us that they continue to receive the excellent service that they’ve received for the past 31 years.”