Today we’d like to introduce you to Mickey Hargitay.
Hi Mickey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well it all started in the late 70’s, my friends and I would make macrame plant hangers, drape them over our shoulders and head out to sell them door-to-door at beauty shops and office buildings. Then we opened a shop about the size of a living room on Echo Park Ave called Max Macs (“maximum macrames”). After leaving Echo Park, I opened a new business focusing on indoor plants and plant maintenance in an early 1900s Hollywood bungalow on Fountain and North Sycamore avenues. I was 23 then, and the plant shop doubled as my home, where my friends and I would hang out, party and sell some plants (it was the ’70’s). More than three decades later, we are still in the same location, but the business has matured and evolved.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have always been ups and downs within the business and the popularity of plants. The recession in 2008-2010 was probably one of the most difficult times to get through. At that time plants were a luxury item and not a necessity, basically very low on the list of things to purchase. The current plant boom has been pretty steady for the last several years. Surprisingly the biggest struggle has been keeping the shop stocked lately as inventory cannot keep up with demand.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We specialize in indoor tropical houseplants as well as providing plant maintenance for the interior of homes and office buildings. Having established long-term relationships with top-quality foliage growers over the years, we pride ourselves on maintaining healthy plants at competitive prices. Our clients say that it’s our attention to detail that sets us apart. We spend time with customers explaining how to nurture their plants, how to make the right choice from the beginning and how best to keep them alive and thriving. Customer service seems hard to find these days and we need a competitive edge that the big box stores don’t seem to be able to provide. Our unassuming posture seems to be an attraction in a town where it sometimes is more about how you look than anything else.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.mickeysplants.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickeysplants/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickeysplants
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mickey-hargitay-plants-los-angeles-2
Image Credits:
Mickey Hargitay Plants
