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Proudly Local Business: Irma's Spade to Spoon Market and Greenhouse

Apr 25, 2023

Keeping the spirit of local business alive in central Alberta.

In an economy that is increasingly digitized and impersonal, businesses rooted in human connection are getting harder to come by.


But when you walk through the doors of Spade to Spoon Market and Greenhouse, a locally-owned, family-run garden market and greenhouse near Irma, you’ll find yourself transported to a time when connection, warmth and expertise were the foundation of good business. 


Spade to Spoon Market and Greenhouse owners, Kristal and Janel, are family members, business partners and friends. Their connection initially grew from a love for gardening, but with Janel’s agricultural background and Kristal’s lifelong ties to the area, they soon realized their shared passion could be more than just a hobby. So in 2018, the duo decided to break ground on a greenhouse that catered to the gardening needs of central Albertans.


Fast forward five years, and Spade to Spoon has grown from one greenhouse to five on the property just outside Irma. Kristal and Janel’s hard work has resulted in beautiful and welcoming spaces full of vibrant colours and sweet scents. They’ve also created an environment where people can find trusted, expert advice. Kristal and Janel take time to listen to their customer’s needs and preferences and are always happy to offer personalized recommendations.

“There are lots of other greenhouses in the area, but once people see what we offer, they’ll typically come back.”

Visitors’ appreciation for the care and attention is reflected in Spade and Spoon Market and Greenhouse’s consistently growing customer base. Since opening, the business has drawn both local regulars and distant gardening enthusiasts.


“Most of our regulars are from the M.D. of Wainwright, but we have some customers who were just driving down Highway 14, saw a greenhouse and decided to stop,” says Janel. “There are lots of other greenhouses in the area, but once people see what we offer, they’ll typically come back.”


Time and again, Kristal and Janel have heard that what sets them apart is the personal relationships they build with their customers. But the quality of their products is also a major draw. Spade to Spoon retails perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, and preserves like jams, jellies and salsas, all grown and created with care and attention to detail. They’re also priced in a way that speaks to Kristal and Janel’s loyalty to their loyal customers. 


“We try really hard to keep our prices reasonable,” says Kristal. "Especially after COVID hit, we saw prices jump and inflation increase. So we're trying to rely more on cutting our costs, getting family to help us out, and putting in extra hours ourselves so that we can keep prices down for our customers.”


It’s clear that Kristal and Janel have poured their hearts and souls into Spade to Spoon Market and Greenhouse, and that their hard work and dedication have paid off. But the business is more than just a place to buy plants and flowers. “Running a business in rural Alberta allows us to build a relationship with each and every customer that walks through the door… [These relationships] allow us to create a lasting experience, not just a sale,” says Kristal. This approach is one of the things that makes Spade to Spoon such a local gem.


At Spade to Spoon Market and Greenhouse, you’ll find plants, good business, and a community of people who share your love for all things green and growing.

Hwy 14 - 82047, 6 miles East of Irma, Alberta, Irma, AB, Canada, Alberta


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