The Alabama company offers plants and a bit of eclecticism

VINEMONT, Ala.

For twins Chris and Pat Thompson, the business model of The Man Cave Market in Vinemont is less about selling products and more about providing an experience. It’s that thought that made the eclectic nursery a destination boutique in Cullman.

After years as a wholesale distributor for 95 florists in North and West Alabama, it was the pandemic and subsequent quarantines that led to the start of their fledgling business.

“We were on cruise control for over 20 years, Chris would go to Florida every week and pick up the plants, and we would deliver them statewide,” Pat said. “Then in 2020 everything stopped, we went from 85 orders to less than six. It only lasted ten weeks before orders started to pick up again, but at the time we had no idea how the things were going to unfold, so I tore down the ceilings here and built the lofts and we decided to open a store.

With little more than a truckload of plants and an entrepreneurial spirit, the twins opened the doors to retailing their floristry business in 2020.

“At the time, we only had plants, but within 30 minutes the first customer came in and bought $300 worth of produce and it’s been that way ever since. Almost every day we get a new customer to see what it’s all about, and it’s basically word of mouth,” Pat said.

Although still a nursery, the supply has come a long way in two years. Venturing into home decor, coffee, toiletries and health products, the store has become something of a love letter to brothers who travel the world.

“We’ve been everywhere,” Chris said. “We want to bring that here. We want this place to be an experience, so we are always on the lookout for something unique, new and different. I always say that it is impossible to see everything here in one visit. So every time people come in, it’s a new experience.

“Our goal is to give people an escape from this crazy world,” Pat said. day just come in and hang out and enjoy the place. We’ve been so blessed in life, and now I’m just happy that we can share this and bless others.

Although there are plans for the future, the brothers aren’t quite sure what it will look like.

“Our vision is not complete. We may be planning to offer food soon, but something unique and different. I don’t know exactly what yet. It’s a bit like that with everything here. There are certainly plans, but it’s a bit like painting a picture. It develops on its own. »

The Man Cave market is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.