Just a stone’s throw from the Washington-Idaho border, something vibrant has once again taken root at the newly opened Vicki’s Garden Center — and it’s not just the flowers.
The freshly launched garden center located in Liberty Lake — a second location for the decades-old Lima family greenhouse operation — marks a new chapter in a story that began generations ago and continues to grow, quite literally, from the ground up. The new garden center isn’t just a business expansion; it’s a tribute to a growing family legacy that dates back to the 1980s, when Marian Lima and her husband, Ed Lima, ran the original operation from what is now the main office in Latah Valley.
Nick Lima, son of Ed and Vicki Lima, is a third-generation family member who now helps manage the day-to-day operations.
“This house, this property, it was all part of my grandparents’ life,” Lima said. “They lived here, worked here. It’s been a family affair since the beginning.”
The transition from wholesale to a combination of wholesale and retail began when the family passed the torch in 2012. With aging greenhouses and a changing market, the Lima family saw an opportunity to imagine an even more colorful future.
“We decided to diversify,” Lima said. “We kept the wholesale side but introduced more retail. That decision led us to repair the original greenhouses and evolve the space into something new.”
Today, Vicki’s Garden Center is known for helping make Spokane even more beautiful and is a patchwork of color and community. Alongside classic annuals and perennials, visitors find unique fruiting trees, succulents and specialty roses — handpicked to stand out in a competitive market.
“We used to just stock the extras from wholesale in the garden center,” Nick said. “But now we order in unique items specifically for the garden center. It’s about creating an experience.”
It’s a multigenerational ecosystem where everyone has a part to play. Parents own the operation, siblings work full time and even the retired grandparents still weigh in on major decisions.
“There’s nobody missing from the puzzle,” Nick said. “Everyone’s got an important role. We’ve had bad seasons, good seasons — it’s a learning curve. But I love it. There’s always something new to figure out.”
From mastering efficient crop management to navigating state regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, the family has weathered many storms.
“COVID was tough. It squeezed us financially for years,” he said. “But we stayed above water. And now we’re finally finding our footing again.”
Lindsey MacAvoy, the manager at the new location, loves coming in every day to such a beautiful sight.
“Our customers are always in the best mood,” she said. “Nobody shops for flowers in a bad mood.”
It’s only been a month since the grand opening, but with steady foot traffic and local support, the garden center is quickly becoming a go-to destination for locals seeking something colorful.
Beth Fields, a longtime customer, mentions that she used to commute all the way from Greenacres to the first location.
“It’s almost like a tradition to come and pick out annuals for our garden,” she said. “You can’t beat the prices, and the family is always around working hard. Now I feel spoiled with the new location being closer to home.”
Among their longstanding partnerships, none is more iconic than the Coeur d’Alene Resort’s red geraniums. For more than 30 years, the Limas have supplied 30,000 to 40,000 of the signature blooms each year — a tradition stemming from a special Mother’s Day and a favorite color.
“That relationship started between my grandpa and Duane Hagadone in the ’80s,” he said. “And it’s still going strong.”
Other longstanding clients include local golf courses, general stores and independent hardware shops, many of whom have trusted the Limas for generations. Beyond sales, Vicki’s Garden Center has cultivated a sense of community through local events and educational offerings. With appearances at the Spokane College’s Home and Garden Expo, the team works to stay engaged and accessible.
The family said their future vision is to grow the garden center’s public presence and fine-tune its family operations. With quality as their cornerstone, the Limas are confident.
“The team keeps a close eye on our crops,” Lima said. “We even shop at other stores to compare. Customers tell us our quality is the best in town — and that helps us stand out. We’re not just here to sell plants, we’re part of the community.”
Story and photos by: Danyle D’Alene
For comments or questions on this story, please email Danyle D’Alene at DanyleDalene@gmail.com.
