08/16/2020
I have a little story about this tree. Last spring at my 'real' job ( ) the Golden Chain tree near the house was having an exceptionally prolific bloom. Because everyone who works at Palmiter's is a huge plant nerd, Mrs. Palmiter made sure we all went up to take a look at it. It was gorgeous. I mean, this tree was entirely covered in flowers. Just, wow. They don't sell Golden Chain trees at Palmiter's. I'm not sure why, they might be hard to find, or prohibitively expensive, or maybe they just don't like living in a pot. Anyway, if Palmiter's had sold them, I would have bought one then and there. Fast forward almost a year and a half and Mrs. Palmiter brings out a tree in a pot and says it's for me. I asked what it was and, of course, it's a sapling from her Golden Chain tree. She dug it up, potted it, and kept it watered until she knew it was going to live, then she gave it to me. Because I thought it was beautiful.
That's what it's like working for a small independent family-run business. Please do everything you can to support these kinds of businesses. I know it takes a little more time and effort, and often a little more money, but these places are so important. Big box stores, fast food restaurants, and grocery chains have had a huge advantage for the past 6 months, so if there's a mom and pop business you love, get back there and buy something!