New Growth
Greenville’s plant stores are safe havens for plants and people alike.
Caring for plants is ritualistic, nurturing, and meditative. They create natural abundance in otherwise barren-feeling urban spaces. They purify the air, beautify your home, and reconnect you to the earth. Plant people are peace-seekers.
We’re highlighting two of Greenville’s plant stores – Savereign and Sun & Soil Plant Parlor – who epitomize our values here at Off The Grid. They’re changemakers who are using their love of plants to uplift the community, and we’re here for it!
Writer: Melissa Hayes
Photo Credit: Jackie Brooker
“Plants really did change my life for the better,” says A.J. Arellano.
The now-owner of Savereign first discovered his passion for plants while living in Chicago. The brutal winters took a toll on his mental health, but a plant gift from his mom offered a pick-me-up. Before long, he’d filled his 700 sq ft apartment with over 150 plants. “There are studies on the positive effects of plants. They’ve allowed me to take time to think for myself and meditate on who I am and what makes me happy. They have a calming factor and radiate positivity.”
When he later returned home to Greenville, his plant passion came with him. But Savereign wasn’t founded on a love of plants alone.
"The whole point of the store, even more than the plants, is to be a safe place for queer people.
I'm not a business person at heart; I just want people to feel good,” says A.J. “I saw no retail spaces for queer people in the Greenville city area. I knew I wanted to create a safe space and also a space owned by a queer, brown person, and let others like me know that you can do anything."
“The main reason for my existing here was to create change.”
A.J. says the work he’s doing has helped him be brave because he wants to be brave for others. “I’m not afraid to speak out,” he says. “You can see that on my Instagram which I use a lot to give voice to others. That’s not just the store’s Instagram. It’s my personal page too. This is my life.”
Leyly Bagherof and Brogan Jackson – the faces behind the newly-opened Sun & Soil – have been friends since high school.
Both moved away to separate cities until they were forced to return home last year when the world turned upside down. Life disrupted their plans, but they took the hit as an opportunity to pursue other passions: plants and positivity.
Photo Provided by Sun & Soil.
“We wanted to create a space that’s plant-related but also encouraging and uplifting,” says Leyly.
When you walk in, you are immediately met with shelves overflowing with plants on plants on plants all locally sourced by small growers. Don’t miss the mural in the back created by Brogan encouraging visitors to “Grow Your Own Happiness.”
Women Supporting Women
The store sells unique plant accessories as well as plant-related jewelry, shirts, greeting cards, and more all made by fellow female-owned small businesses. Going forward, they plan to host events including in-store yoga classes taught by female-owned studio instructors.
“We’re not only a plant store. We also want this to be a fun, safe space for everyone.
“This is a place where anyone can come and hang out if you need it,” says Leyly. “We have wifi, a chill lounge area, and bottled local coffee.”
They’re also pet-friendly, have an outdoor space, and are partnering up with other small businesses to host future workshops and events for the community.
Off the grid Loves all of our small business plant purveyors!
Here are a few others we’ve been digging lately…
🪴 Asia Pacific Greenville (Yes, they have plants too!)
🪴 Aligned with Nature (Greer)
🪴 Botanical Brew (Lyman)
🪴 And if you’re looking for beautiful, handmade displays for your hanging plants, check out All Good Things.