Oh, that's certainly the end of an era. I haven't bought much from S&H lately, but still have their site bookmarked; they had a good selection of certain types of things, like low iron fence panels that make great plant supports, that are hard to find anywhere else.

The stores are still open, according to the website (no more on-line orders, though), and everything is apparently on sale. Hingham, here I come.

that is sad. Close to 25 years ago my father in law bought me three tools from them. Although they are very well made, I always found the handles too short to be very comfortable. But their craftsmanship was extraordinary.

darn, I'm sitting on a gift certificate. Ironically, I looked around their website a few months ago and didn't see anything that caught my eye that I needed/wanted.

I woke up in the middle of the night with an idea. (isn't that amazing how that so often happens). Anyone want to buy a $50 SH gift card for $25? win-win.

whoops... re-read msg and it sounded kinda weird.

um... obviously I meant someone who would be going to one of the stores sales!! They are too far for me.

didn't sound weird at all. i used to frequent craig's list and people were selling their gift cards at discount all the time. your offer made me pause, but I'm not near one of their stores, either, and I need more plant supports somewhere else!

wendy- post your offer on boston.craigslist.org under farm and garden . i'd suggest you post it in the southshore location and maybe you could agree for someone to send you a check and you send them the card. another option- the store could send you what you want. they do that.thanks george for posting this. i would never have known.
xo mindy

good idea Mindy. I suppose paypal would work too.

I have a recent S&H catalog and I looked through it last night several times looking for something to get. I still couldn't come up with anything. I considered new felco $50 pruners, but I couldn't even justify $11 shipping for pruners I don't really need (but probably will someday).

Maybe I'll call the Hingham store and see whats up.

Wow, they are busy over there!! I just called and ordered the felco pruners for 20% off which made the shipping lower which came to 47.95 for my $50 gift card. Perfecto!

offer withdrwawn!

Thanks George and Mindy!!

yay wendy!

I'm bummed. Got over $300 in gift cards from the little lady I help out. Every time I go to the store in Westport to try to spend them I see nothing I want. I guess I better just get some back-up pruners or garden boots and call it a day. Any suggestions???

Virginia

Hi all,

I'm near the Hingham store and have had my eye on a few things, but it's been always way out of my price range. If anyone hears of anyone with gift cards they might not use, I'd definitely be interested in a deal. It's so sad to see stores close in this economy. I must say in general I have been trying to spend my money in local businesses and keep them going, but it is still sad to hear about so many jobs lost.

Lisa

Virginia, they had interesting water features and pottery about a month ago when I visit the store.
Planning to pay them a visit tomorrow and see what's left.

Got a bunch of good stuff this morning. Entire store only 20-30% off but I was happy with my purchases and I didn't wind up with useless junk.

It's still a bit sad though.

V

I went to my local S&H store today also and got a few things. It is sad, especially after Gardener's Eden went under a couple years ago also. I enjoy the gardening shops.

Monique, where the heck did you find time to go shopping today?! Gee, if I were you, I'd still be outside working by flashlight, lol! But then, I am a procrastinator, so I would wait till the week before to get my garden ready for a tour. I guess your garden is always tour-ready!

Perhaps we will see some of your purchases in the garden tomorrow?

:)
Dee

I suspect there is a trend going on... I was just following a link to an google image search and I found this. Have never shopped there.

Effective June 30th, 2009, Carroll Gardens suspended accepting website orders for shipment.

For a limited time, phone orders for remaining inventory are being accepted. Call: toll free 800-638-6334.

...

Not highly rated on watchdog, but still... another one bites the dust...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.carrollgardens.com/

Well, another proof to the Darvin's theory.
Survival of the fittest. In the business.

I don't get it - I swear I'm doing my utmost to keep the garden industry healthy, sometimes to the detriment of my retirement funds.

But poor Darwin; I suppose he can be blamed for mundane Burpee's takeover of the formerly glorious Heronswood? LOL, ego!

At least this may cut down on the number of catalogs that need to be recycled every month. S&H was notorious for that, and I never knew how they could justify the waste.