Fern to Open Second Location

Fern to Open Second Location

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A popular plant shop in College Hill grows with new location in Walnut Hills. Read on for all the green thumb details.

A store in College Hill that fosters a love for all things plants is opening a new location. 

“Fern is an interior plant design studio and home goods store,” says Megan Strasser, Owner of Fern. “We offer a carefully edited selection of beautiful and unique objects and a large assortment of houseplants.” 

Fern currently has six staffers and is celebrating seven years in business. Their store is currently “in an old gas station on Hamilton Avenue in College Hill,” Strasser says. “Our second location will open in the Ashby Building on East McMillan in Walnut Hills.”

Strasser’s love for plants started 20 years ago when she started collecting them. “She has always believed that plants are one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to transform an environment,” Strasser says.

The inspiration behind starting Fern actually came from an architect’s long-lost plans. “I had come across an architect’s original storyboards for a mid-century modern home and noticed that he had included plants in his plans for each room. It struck me that plants could be as thoughtfully considered in the design of a home as the furniture that went into it,” she says. “I wanted to create a store that allowed customers to do the same.”

The decision to open a second location all came down to perfect timing. “The timing aligned with the right space in the right neighborhood,” Strasser says.

There are a variety of products and services offered through Fern, including:

• Houseplants: Tropical plants, succulents, cacti and airplants. They even have their “own plant design creations such as: terrariums, mounted epiphytic plants, succulent gardens, aeriums and kokedama,” Strasser
• “Hancrafted Ceramic Planters in a large size range from over 30 makers and artists,” she says.
• “Small batch apothecary, including our own candle line,” Strasser says.
• Artist-Led Classes: Floral arranging, calligraphy, wreath making and watercolor
• There are also Fern-led plant design workshops such as: terrarium, succulent garden and kokedama making.
• “We host small markets yearly and invite other small businesses to popup in our space regularly,” she says. “For example, we have Proudhound Coffee’s coffee truck every Sunday and Daisy Janes Flower Truck every Wednesdsy at our College Hill store,” Strasser says.

Fern wants to see their community experience security. “Success for Fern is creating a space where our customers and staff feel safe and welcomed and growing the community of plant lovers while supporting makers, artists and the causes we believe in,” Strasser says.  

The mission of Fern is to not only provide great customer service, but also education to the community. They want “to merge plants with design, offering indoor houseplants that are carefully selected and styled with handmade ceramic vessels and to provide straightforward and complete care information,” she says. 

Fern’s approach to their business is unique. “We may sell plants, but our business builds relationships through our strong commitment to being a space of inclusivity, collaboration and community,” Strasser says. “I am proud to exist in two vibrant and diverse residential communities and to be able to offer plants and vessels for every budget, so that anyone who comes in has the opportunity to use plants to help create a feeling of warmth in their own home.”

To keep up with all things Fern, follow them on Facebook and their website.

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