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Pandemic brings green life to derelict Smith’s Flour Mill

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A year ago when the world was in lockdown, and all offices, clubs and pubs closed their doors, one Hunter Valley businessman planted the seed for a unique opportunity.

Tropical Plant Rentals owner-operator Andrew Ferguson suddenly found himself with the flora, he had to maintain, locked away in buildings.

Selling his ex-rental plants on Facebook Marketplace, the father-of-two noticed a growing trend in the revival of indoor greenery.

And, when COVID-19 hit and everyone was forced inside with more time to re-style their homes, he detected an even greater demand of people buying his plants.

Ironically, years prior as he drove past the heritage-listed Smith’s Flour Mill historic sandstone building on the main highway in East Maitland, Mr Ferguson thought to himself “that’d make a great indoor plant store in there”.

Then, after a number of synchronic events led from thing to another, his dream became a reality.  

Mr Ferguson began work immediately to transform the three-storey, derelict premises.

His New York-style apartment is on the top floor, constructed from reclaimed and recycled materials.

And, together with his partner Rachel Prest of Raid My Wardrobe, the ground area was transformed into a store aptly named, Love My Plants.  

“The building had been locked up for four years and it took me a good part of a week and some to clean out all the dust,” he said.

That was 12 months ago.

Today, the plant jungle store has spread out onto the back deck into the rear car park and onto the second floor where Ms Prest also hosts creative workshops for their plant community and sells her recycled fashion finds.

“Due to the pandemic and restrictions last year we never had an official grand opening, so with our first birthday we are going big to celebrate on Sunday 27 June between 10am and 4pm,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We’ll have market stalls, create your own workstations, indoor plant care talks, giveaways, face painting and, of course, discounts on plants storewide.”

He loves that indoor plants bring a bit of nature inside to an unnatural environment, where people’s energies are altered and their moods lifted.

“A Happy Plant is probably my favourite,” Mr Ferguson said.

“I love the look and sound of it.

“It has a dead-looking stem that life just springs out of with its bright leaves.” 

The premises, located at 101 Newcastle Street, is open five days a week, Wednesday to Sunday.

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