Garden Goodness at Port Adelaide forced to close down, owner says

It’s one of just a few gardening shops in Adelaide that stocks all organic, hard-to-find edible plants – but now it’s being closed down.

Port Adelaide gardening shop Garden Goodness is closing down. Picture: Supplied

A Port Adelaide gardening shop is closing after the owner said he was given a notice to vacate, leaving him “gutted”.

Garden Goodness owner Peter Heidenreich said the franchise’s Port Adelaide branch, which opened about 18 months ago, will close on April 28.

Mr Heidenreich said he was recently given notice to leave by the People’s Market at Hart’s Mill, the property’s head tenant, because of “differing views on how we could operate within the market”.

Called for comment, People’s Market founder Lloyd McPhee said: “You’re going down a rabbit hole, so I’ll let you just talk to Peter.” He then hung up.

Garden Goodness owner Peter Heidenreich and his sister Alison Heidenreich. Picture: Supplied

Mr Heidenreich said he was gutted and staff jobs would be lost because of the closure.

“I felt we were just getting momentum towards really creating a wonderful community space, and in the middle of that, we got this notice to vacate,” he said.

“When you go from that to losing staff, losing one of your two stores which you’ve put a huge amount of work into, and my store managers put a huge amount of work into, it’s not a fun experience.

Port Adelaide gardening shop Garden Goodness is closing down. Picture: Supplied

“There’s a fair bit of community anger about the whole thing.”

The 27-year-old said he was focused on growing the business despite the setback.

“The plan is to build up the Smithfield store, create an online store where people all over Adelaide can order what we produce and what we grow and through our suppliers,” he said.

“As time goes on, we would love to be in a position where we can once again open a garden centre somewhere in the western suburbs, maybe around Port Adelaide again.”

Mr Heidenrich said he believed his two Garden Goodness stores were the only organic, regenerative gardening centres in Adelaide.

The stores sell hard-to-find bush tucker and edible plants, along with items including veggie seedlings, fruit trees, compost and potting mix.

“We think it’s been a really wonderful experience being able to serve the people of Port Adelaide,” Mr Heidenrich said.

“To the customers, we really appreciate your support. I would just encourage them, the best way you can help us is to keep shopping with Garden Goodness.”

The Port Adelaide store is offering closing down specials in the lead-up to its closure.

Originally published as Garden Goodness at Port Adelaide forced to close down, owner says