Meinke Garden Center Inc - Niles IL

I have been shopping at Meinkes Garden center since the summer of 2010 when I purchased my home and moved into the neighborhood. They have always had straightforward flats and flat prices. As in a flat costs x amount of dollars and what's on the tables in multi packs can go in the flats. This year I only needed natsurtium but decided to go ahead and fill a flat bc they had some gorgeous dhalias & verbena. At check out the girl (a younger girl Ive never seen there before) took out 2 of my 3 packs out of the flat and said I had maxed out my flat and couldn't "fill" it. She then insisted on charging all the items a la cart price stating it would only be $20 and a flat is $21.95. So I tried to show here that even with every5jing in my flat rhat there was extra room/empty space. I even took out 1 3 pack. She kept trying to take out items i needed and put back the 3 pavk marigold which i didnt need and only got to fill the pack. She didnt seem to understand that the whole point on the flat is you get a better deal. In my case I would have paid $21.95 for the flat and saved $2 on the verbena pack that she removed when she refused to let me fill the flat. When I told her that in 16 years the flats have never been micromanaged this way - bc she was basically trying to manipulate your flat selection so it was equal or less than the flat price which defeats the while purpose of filling a flat- her response was "you dont have to buy the flowers at all" which was incredibly rude. Meinkes is where we have always purchased ALL of our items since 2010; down to our Christmas trees. But if the ownership has changed and will now be rude, dismissive and down right trying to pull one over on you, then we will take our business to Pesches. Photo below of the flat with $20 of a la cart items and the space that was BIGGER than the verbena she forcibly removed so that we wouldn't save $2 by purchasing a full flat included.

Simply the best! They have a ton of variety and plants for every season. Lots of herbs, veggies, perennials, annuals. Great prices too. Everything I've bought has lived and done well in my garden. Unlike from HD where I've had stuff die from disease. I like just to walk around too because it's so nice.

Really great Garden Center has been here for many many years. They have a tremendous selection of annuals as well as perennials. I purchased many items from both of those categories for the 2020 growing season and all of the things I purchased are healthy and thriving 4 months later. The prices were great and very reasonable for the high quality of plans that we are getting. I also love that they have many pre-made Planters ready to Grab & Go so it looks like you spent a million bucks on your gardening without having to actually spend that much. This place is a real Hidden Gem and I absolutely give it five stars!

The quality of product here is tough to beat most anywhere else - I’ve purchased many rose bushes that have all thrived, and fill all of my planters with the vibrantly colored annual options. There are usually a lot of shoppers, which I contribute to the great selection and quality, so be mentally prepared and you’ll be fine! 🙌🏻

It has a great selection on indoor and outdoor plants. The staff is very helpful in answering any questions I had.