Today we’d like to introduce you to Wally and Delores Wingard Steinhauser.
Margie and Judson Wingard didn’t set out to create a big business. It developed out of their love of plants and their desire to help others enjoy them just as much as they did.
The seed was planted in the late 1960s, when Jut and Margie began propagating azaleas for their yard. Thanks to their green thumbs, they found themselves with more than they could use, so they set up a roadside stand with a hand-painted sign advertising “Azaleas For Sale 50 Cents.”
By the time Judson retired from his long career at South Carolina Electric & Gas in 1983, the family’s azalea business was flourishing. Over the next 20 years, he and Margie poured their energy into developing their growing nursery. At one point, Wingard’s Nursery was rooting 30,000 cuttings of 150 azalea varieties each year, as well as growing and selling many other plants.
By the mid-2000s, the Wingard’s began transferring ownership to their daughter and son-in-law, Delores and Wally. Armed with some ambitious plans and a vision for the future, they expanded and modernized the business, adding updates like a point-of-sale system and an excellent website.
Over time, Wingard’s Market has grown into a full-service garden center, but it hasn’t lost its authentic charm. It’s still located beneath sprawling decades-old pecan trees in the shadow of the home where Jut grew up. In fact, visitors might just run into Jut and Margie as they stroll through the peaceful, park-like grounds. A visit to Wingard’s Nursery is so warm, relaxed and friendly, their customers say it’s like a visit to grandma’s house.
Their knowledgeable, friendly staff can answer just about any gardening question. They focus on personalized service to help make you a better gardener, and they routinely offer informative classes and workshops, both in a classroom setting and online at WingardsTV.com. They also connect with their customers with a monthly newsletter and blog written by their own Delores Wingard. Reading it is like reading a letter from a friend—one who knows an awful lot about gardening. It’s their goal to help their customers love creating lush, beautiful outdoor environments as much as they do. Rooted in the community.
They are truly committed to making their community a more beautiful place, and that commitment goes far beyond flowers. Wingard’s is considered a pillar of the Lexington-Columbia community. They take pride in sponsoring events or donating plants or services to Lexington Interfaith Community Services (LICS), Carolina Wildlife Care, Lexington County Choral Society, Lexington Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington Public Schools.
Their annual customer appreciation and fundraising event, Art in the Garden, features local artists, a variety of musical groups and delicious food and wine, all for a good cause. As a result of this event, they have donated $140,000 to Lexington Interfaith Community Services over the last 10 years.
They are a family business, so it makes sense that they’re family-oriented. Every year, they have 3-4 Kids Days with activities geared toward children. They want Wingard’s to be as much a part of your family’s life as it is a part of theirs.
From shopping to workshops to events to a peaceful walk under the pecan trees—there’s always something blooming at Wingard’s!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No struggles beyond those encountered by any startup, self-funded business.
Please tell us about Wingard’s Market.
Heritage in full bloom.
The hard work has paid off. Not only has Wingard’s Nursery and Garden Center experienced tremendous growth and success and developed an outstanding reputation, it was also named one of the Top 100 Revolutionary Garden Centers by Today’s Garden Center magazine. It’s also affiliated with an official hemerocallis (Daylilly) garden.
Our stunning water features and beautiful displays are designed to inspire our customers as they explore the nursery. We offer a broad selection of plants and plenty of them, including a vast array of azaleas and daylilies, annuals, perennials, shrubbery and trees, mulches, beautiful container gardens, a great selection of pottery, and a Gift Shoppe with unique and different gifts for gardeners and nature-lovers. We also offer gift certificates, so you can give the Wingard’s experience to someone special.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Delores: Working with my parents to grow this hobby into a business.
Wally: Seeing The Beatles, in 1964.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1403 North Lake Drive,
Lexington, South Carolina 29072 - Website: www.wingardsmarket.com
- Phone: 803 359 9091
- Email: office@wingardsmarket.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingardsMarket
- Twitter: @wingardsmarket
Image Credit:
Wingard’s Market, Inc.
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
