Customers flock to Sunnyside garden centre for 100-year-old store's last spring season

Robins and the first green sprigs of grass are sure signs spring is on the way in Calgary, as are the droves of gardeners that reliably flock to Sunnyside Greenhouses in anticipation of the season.

Customers packed the Bowness store on Saturday to pick up tropical plants and garden supplies, for what will be the store's last season after 100 years of serving the community.

For RosemaryWishartand ArnoldMcaulay, the greenhouse was a frequent stop, and the pair planned on making one more purchase for old time's sake.

"Well I was shocked too, it's a special place to come, especially for us. We live down inClaresholmand wedon'teven have a greenhouse anymore,"Mcaulaysaid.

Caitlin McClure said she first visited the northwest Calgary fixture when she was a girl, barely taller than some of the stores plants.

"It was part of the ritual of spring in Calgary," said McClure.

She said she doesn't know where she'll go now that the store is closing.

"It's the only place in town that has a facility like this," she said.

Owners Grant and Warren Jensen announced earlier in March that 2018 would be thelast year ofoperation, as the site has been sold to a developer to be turned into a mixed-use complex.

Elizabeth Marcksaid she was sadto hear the small business she's frequented for 20 years was sold.

"I just want this to stay. This is such a nice greenhouse, it's beautiful," she said.

• MORE ALBERTA NEWS |Video captures wolf as it pads along Banff ski resort access road
• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Calgary library renamed after local family's $1.5M donation