Growing business: The Green House opens in West Chester

WEST CHESTER—Although you might not have a green thumb, there is now a new shop in the borough where you can pick up hardy plants.

The Green House opened up this month at 107 N. Church St. and is owned by Peter Giuffre.

“A lot of people come in and say ‘I kill everything, what should I get?’” Giuffre said last week at the pleasant, airy storefront. “I love interacting with people and teaching them about the different types of plants.”

Giuffre shows customers low maintenance options, including self- watering pots, for those who “struggle” with watering. The pot holds water in a reservoir so the roots can pull up only what it needs. This way the owner doesn’t under or over water the plant.

The shop owner hand makes most of the pottery out of cement and also has some ceramic and terracotta options. He says he also takes the time to pair plants with empty pots while the customer waits.

Potted plants range in price from $15 to $65. Giuffre noted that most plant prices have recently astronomically risen. He said that his supplier hasn’t significantly hiked prices.

“I’m trying to be affordable and fair,” he said. “My supplier has quality stuff at affordable prices.”

Also sold in the store is home décor and non-toxic organic body, home, and baby products.

Most customers enter the shop and comment on how good it smells. Giuffre says it’s because they only use beeswax candles, with essential oils. He said that most candles sold elsewhere are made from petroleum by products with synthetic fragrances that cause pollution.

Giuffre is also on the sales team of tech start LifeBrand up in the borough.

“We allow individuals to connect their social media accounts to our platform and it scans all your posts for any potential harmful or inappropriate posts,” he said. “It then allows you to keep, edit, or delete the posts in question.

“Opening The Green House is a full circle moment to run a small business on Church Street.”

The Green House is located at 107 N. Church St., and is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, call 484-574-6870 or go to TheGreenhouseWC.com