Tara Heibel, Founder. Photo courtesy of Sprout
Since opening in 2003, Sprout has grown to become a recognizable brand with multiple locations in Brooklyn and Chicago. Initially a specialty plant shop offering a small selection of household wares, both Sprout locations now include neighboring storefronts focusing primarily on kitchen and table. Each Sprout store feels like a specialized experience, with a helpful staff willing to answer any questions one would have about selecting or caring for plants. They also offer floral design services and host in-store workshops on making terrariums and wreaths. Aesthetic Movement has long been a fan of their curated selection of house plants and has also been honored to see A/M lines like The Floral Society featured in their new home store. We had the pleasure of visiting both Sprout locations in Brooklyn and speaking with founder, Tara Heibel, about the joys of growing her business. Read below for more on Sprout!
q&a with tara
When did you first open and what’s the inspiration behind Sprout Home?
I opened the first store in Chicago in 2003 and then opened in New York in 2007. Before opening Sprout Home, I was rehabbing houses and really took to the landscaping part of whatever project I was working on. I knew I didn't want to keep rehabbing houses forever, so I took that part I liked about it the most, working with plants, and turned it into a business.
Can you tell us a little more about opening the home store in addition to the garden store?
The Sprout Home Kitchen & Table stores were something that my husband and I were talking about for some time. We've always had home goods in our stores but we were limited in space and could never expand this interest of ours. Then a retail space opened up across the street from our Chicago store so we went for it. And if it worked in Chicago why not try give it a go in Brooklyn.
Sprout Home offers a variety of plants, home gardening accessories, and workshops.
“I took that part I liked most about rehabing houses, working with plants, and turned it into a business.”
What do you love most about the work you do?
The best part about what I do is getting the opportunity to teach new staff members and our customers about plants. It's a body of knowledge that people seem to be hungry for and I'm thrilled to share it.
Who is your floral design inspiration? Who do you look to for plant inspiration?
I am lucky that I have never had to look beyond the doors of Sprout Home for inspiration. Ever since I opened, I have had the unthinkable luck when it comes to the incredibly talented people that have come to work for me. My employees are my inspiration. Looking to them and ignoring the trends has served me well.
Sprout Brooklyn’s neighboring location specializes in Kitchen and Table
