Growing up in St. James, Charity Satterfield used to wander through Stanley’s Garden Center and dream about what it would be like to have so many plants. She recalls joking with her friends that one day, she’d own the place.

“Did I ever really think I would? Absolutely not,” Satterfield said.

As it turns out, dreams do come true. Last summer, former owner Stanley Dillon decided to sell his garden center and retire after 52 years of serving the community. Though he had a few potential buyers, none of them seemed committed to keeping it as a garden center, which Dillon was set on.

Then, one day, Satterfield stopped in.

“The longer she talked, the more I thought, ‘this is the girl who was sent to me to buy this place,’” Dillon said. 

In small-town fashion, the two never made a signed contract. They simply sealed the deal with a handshake.

“I wasn’t thinking I would be making that purchase that quickly,” Satterfield said. “But as Stanley said, God had other plans, and we moved a little quicker. And I couldn’t be happier.”

After having the building evaluated, Satterfield learned it would be more cost effective to tear it down and rebuild. The bulk of the renovations happened in winter, and by March 2, the brand new garden center had opened its doors as Blooms & Barrels.

“I wasn’t quite expecting this building, but once I saw what was going up, I’m tickled to death with it,” Dillon said.

When it comes to products, Satterfield wanted to make sure she offered all of the same plants customers knew and loved from Stanley’s Garden Center. She’s also expanded into carrying garden decor and handmade products such as candles and jams.

But above all, Satterfield wanted the store to honor Dillon’s legacy. A glowing LED sign that reads “Stanley’s Seeds” now welcomes customers into the seed section, and the original Stanley’s Garden Center guarantee still hangs on the wall.

“I couldn’t have ever done this without him,” Satterfield said. “So I just want to make sure that it’s always going to be Stanley’s Garden Center, no matter if we change the name or not.”

The pair, who are also neighbors, have formed a friendship in the process. Neither have a background in horticulture, so Dillon has passed on the knowledge he picked up from over 50 years in the business. 

Even in his retirement, Dillon still comes by the store everyday to talk with customers. He’s also continued to host his Saturday morning radio show, The Green Thumber, on KTTR-FM. 

“I’m learning so much from him as well, and he’s been a great mentor,” Satterfield said. “I’m so fortunate to have him.” 

Stanley’s customers will be happy to know that both the cats (who took a break from their shop duties during construction) and the large elephant ear plant that the old garden center was known for will be coming to Blooms & Barrels soon. 

Satterfield is looking forward to carrying on traditions like those with the new store, making it not only a garden center, but a beloved place in the community. She said her customers are her number one priority and she takes pride in providing them with healthy, thriving and unique plants that fit their needs.

“Stanley was always very adamant on not overselling products,” Satterfield said. “We want to be truthful, we want to be trustworthy. We want to be a place that people can come to, that they can ask questions.”

The opening of Blooms & Barrels has marked a new chapter for both Dillon and Satterfield, one where he can continue on his legacy and she can live out the dream she’s had since she was young.

“I couldn’t be more happy or proud than (if) she’s my own daughter,” Dillon said.

“It was God sent on both of our parts,” Satterfield said. “This is something I have always dreamed of.”