Along with vibrant packages, stockings around the fireplace and tell-tale signs of a jolly old elf's visit, for many the holidays simply wouldn't be the same without a Christmas tree. Proudly standing in the corner, the tree represents a tradition harking back centuries, bringing in a bit of life to keep up spirits during the harsh winter months.
Living in the Evergreen state, Clark County residents have more options than most when it comes to holiday decorations. For over 40 years, Shorty's Garden and Home has been a one-stop shop for everything agriculture, according to Colin Mahoney, general manager of the store.
Holiday consumers come in for knick-knacks such as nutcrackers, poinsettias and the occasional Christmas cactus, but nothing compares to tree sales. Ranging from three to well over 10 feet, with prices ranging from $22 to $140, the trees come in two major varieties: noble and grand fir.
"The noble fir has a nicer overall look and holds its needles longer, but people really enjoy that Washington forest smell of the grand fir," Mahoney said.
Like 90 percent of Shorty's stock, the trees are locally grown.
From the flagship store on Mill Plain, Mahoney oversees business operations, directing 18 full-time employees and up to 50 seasonal workers, a number which fluctuates greatly according to the season. Employees are put through rigorous training and mentorship programs in order to exceed "box-store quality," according to Mahoney, referring to home improvement super-stores like Lowe's and Home Depot.
Though the Christmas rush can be intense, winter is usually pretty tame compared to the rest of the year for Shorty's. "Our busiest time is spring, when winter is over and people can finally return to the earth," Mahoney said.
Sales of everything from shrubs to fruit trees during the spring planting season sustain the business year-round, he said.
Founded in the 1960s by Ron Fournier, Shorty's changed hands multiple times over the years. Now owned by Mahoney's parents, Brian and Ines Mahoney, Shorty's has been a business marked by careful growth, with an expansion into the Vancouver market made in 1996 with the purchase of Bishop's Garden Center and with another location opening in Longview in 1997.
The Longview store closed in 2000, a fact Mahoney attributes to logistic issues and a Home Depot moving nearby.
"We decided to focus on Clark County as our customer base after all that," he said.
According to Mahoney, the Longview incident taught the Shorty's team an important lesson in prudence, one which paid off during the current downturn.
"By strategically holding back on an expansion before everything went down, we are able to be doing quite well now," Mahoney said.
And thanks to the burgeoning "green" class in the Pacific Northwest, Mahoney sees the future as bright and exciting. With plans for gardening seminars, open houses and cooperation with Washington State University in the works, Shorty's seems ready to help Vancouver shake off the doldrums and get a jump-start on the growing season.
Retail Stat Bar
Shorty's Garden and Home,
Vancouver and Ridgefield
Year founded: 1962
Number of employees: 15 full time
Revenue 2008: N/A
