Green Thing nursery has new owner

Ariel Hackney celebrated the grand opening of Merkaba’s Green Thing
nursery Thursday, May 2. The name is a nod to Hackney’s first local
business, Merkaba, which she bought in December 2022. “It was among the
reasons I moved up here. I’ve always loved Idyllwild, and always wanted
a reason to be here. I loved Merkaba before I bought it. I bought tea
there.”

She also was familiar with the Green Thing. “I was approached by a
long-time good customer after [former owner] Denise Van Herpen passed
away. He put me in touch with the landlord. One thing led to another; it
all worked out. I knew Denise, and I know the love she put into the
nursery. I want to continue to do the same myself …

“I want it be a beautiful plant nursery and garden center, and I want
people to feel welcome, a place where they can spend time.” She has a
lot of ideas to implement as times goes by, so locals will be seeing new
things as they drop by this season.

Hackney still has a lot of work to do, but she wanted to get started in
time for planting and growing season. “People have been so supportive.
Friends and family have been so awesome. I had a lot of help; I didn’t
do it myself.” A few of these friends were cheerfully bustling
to-and-fro on Thursday as the first customers began their spring-time
gardening ritual. On display were many local favorites, including fruit
trees, flowering bushes and ground covers, all selected to survive
mountain conditions.

Are gardeners, especially Idyllwild gardeners, optimists. “It’s true,”
she said. “You plant something and give it your love, and hope for the
best. It’s a metaphor for everything.”

Merkaba’s Green Thing, 26115 Highway 243, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday to Monday.