12/1/2023
Lots to Love
Jennifer Polanz
I’ve been to Benken Garden Center & Florist in Cincinnati at least a couple of times in my editor career, so when I heard it was a stop on the retail tour for this year’s Garden Center Group Fall Event, I thought I knew what I would see. Boy, was I wrong!
The greenhouse had been transformed into a modern and stylish modular space for events, especially weddings, and the design combination of flooring style, metal and matte black paint made it look very sophisticated. The signage was on point and string lights outdoors made the sales yard festive and elegant.
This garden center has been on its journey since founders Harry and Johanna Benken started it in 1939, growing annuals, veggies and herbs. As it was passed down through the generations, they began to offer a wider variety of plants and added floral, which they continue to offer today.
In 2022, third-generation owners Kathy and Mike Benken, who’d owned it for 25 years, passed the torch on to daughter Lindsay Farfsing and her husband Andy. Kathy and Mike’s son, John Clark, is the grower and heads up the team responsible for the gorgeous plant material we saw there on our tour.
What’s so unique about this space is its versatility. There are multiple sections that can be rented out for events and weddings, and Lindsay and her team staged a wedding for us to show how the spaces could be used. Those tying the knot can rent the atrium for a greenhouse ceremony, as well as another interior room called the Celebration Room, for wedding party activities. They can add on a covered outdoor patio space that has retail tables on wheels that can be moved to the side.
Of course, if you have your wedding there, you must purchase your flowers there, along with any other necessities for the big day. The staff at Benken works with four catering partners to offer food options for couples. But weddings aren’t the only events then garden center hosts—over the last year they’ve worked to fill their event calendar with workshops, children’s activities and other events. Scan the QR code to see the wedding page and then click around to see their events and online shop.
Congrats to everyone at Benken for such a beautiful showing and for continuing into the fourth generation of family—that’s a rare feat in a small business that should be celebrated! GP
1 | It was hard to get an image that fully captured the front entrance of Benken, but this lifestyle signage was on either side of the entrance, creating a mood immediately.
2 | These branded circles on the floor were a great touch, showing off how long they’ve been a trusted member of the community.
3 | Gorgeous directional signage that keeps with the color scheme and style.
4 | Pansies in larger, 6.5-in. pots give customers more to work with, and if they have big sections to fill, a volume price break helps.
5-6 | Lindsay and her team had a mock wedding set up for us to show how it would look in the atrium, and then we could wander out to the patio area where benches are on wheels to create open space for outdoor receptions under festive lights.
7-8-9 | Since Benken is a florist also, they offer a walk-in cooler with lots of options, including pre-made designs and individual cuts.
GO HERE to check out the wedding page on the Benken website.