The Grass Shop

Owner: Lisa Savage Gilliland

Address: 40477 Old Highway 45 South, Hamilton

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Years open: 1972

Number of employees: 2

Primary business: Flowers and gifts

Phone: (662) 343-8817

Online: www.facebook.com/grass.shop.1

Advice: “I really encourage people to shop locally.”

HAMILTON – If you trace it all the way to its humble beginnings, the Grass Shop has been a fixture in Hamilton’s business registry for 40 years. While Lisa Savage Gilliland helped out some during the holidays early on, she’s solely continued a family tradition for the past 13 1/2 years.

“It originally belonged to my grandmother’s sister and her husband, Tennie B. Collins and A.B. Collins, and when she wanted to retire, I continued running it behind her house until I opened it up at the location,” Gilliland said.

The Grass Shop stocks fresh flowers, silk flowers, green and blooming plants, stuffed animals, balloons, crosses, jewelry, refurbished furniture and home décor. Another popular item is Gilliland’s L.A.S. Original candles, named after her maiden initials.

“I started with the candles eight or nine years ago. We sell to other shops and help organizations with their fundraisers by providing the jar candles at a discounted rate,” Gilliland said.

Christmas and Valentine’s Day are shop’s busiest times of the year, but Gilliland and her part-time employee, Scottie Dobbs, stay busy year-round preparing for weddings and funerals.

Ray Van Dusen | Monroe Journal