Our Story
In his 11 years working at Andrews Osborne Academy, Jim Emser always saw potential in the small property on the corner of Mentor Ave & Kirtland. When the space became vacant in 2022, he seized the opportunity to make something great and worked out a deal with the Academy ro rent the space and set up polyhouses for growing. After 6 months of remodeling, The Nursery opened in July of that same year and has been growing steadily over the past years! We've since partners with our sister nursery Maple Ridge to offer a wider variety of plants, shrubs and trees to the community here in Willoughby.
Preparing the Next Generation
OUR MISSION
This little shop isn’t just about selling plants — it’s about planting opportunity.
Jim created The Nursery with two goals in mind: to brighten people’s days with beautiful plants and gifts, and to give young people hands-on experience before they head off to college or into the workforce — all while making a decent wage.
Our student employees do more than just show up for a shift. They learn what it takes to run a small business — pricing products, cashing out customers, processing returns, upselling with care, designing displays, managing inventory, and even helping with marketing.
Most importantly, we keep the work environment fun, low-pressure, and focused on personal growth — building confidence, communication skills, and a strong work ethic that will serve them far beyond the shop!
