Business is booming on the “Bench” with the recent Grand Opening of Webb Appliance’s new location and the addition of All Wrapped Up Gifts to the corner of Washington Ave. and Idaho Blvd.

Grant Webb, owner of Webb Appliance, started the business full-time in 2007 shortly after graduating from high school. In just six years, with lots of hard work and dedication, a marriage (2011), and two kids later, Webb purchased the building at the new location adding a fabulous newly decorated showroom.

“I can’t believe how far we’ve come since I first started,” said Webb. “Now we own a building and have this great fully functioning business with a new and used appliance showroom. My wife, Allyssa has the kids at the store so we have regular hours and also added two employees. Our new products are the same or better prices than even the big-box stores and we offer free installation and haul-off on new purchases. We do it all when it comes to appliances, service, repair and sales plus we offer 6 month or one year warranties on all appliances.” 

The Webb Appliance showroom features new washer/dryers, refrigerators, stoves and more as well as parts for sale. Webb Appliance has a FaceBook page featuring additional information and photos.

Wrapped Up Gifts has its own showroom as well as items featured throughout the store tastefully decorating the location.

“I started All Wrapped Up when I went on maternity leave,” said Michelle Upton, owner. “I wanted to keep my kids with me instead of daycare so I got started in 2002 from home making unique gift baskets for sale. They were a huge hit using a lot of local crafters and vendors. I opened the first store in Payette and had over two dozen consigners join me. I met Grant and Allyssa as customers. We talked about me opening a second All Wrapped Up location within their new store here. It’s been a great combination and I’ve since closed the Payette location and moved everything to Emmett.”

All Wrapped Up is a fun and unique shopping experience. They offer home décor, repurposed furniture, purses and kids’ décor and frilly little girl items. To get special offers only available to “fans”, sign up as a “fan” on the FaceBook page; search All Wrapped Up Boutique.

“What I sell is unique and affordable,” said Upton. “I try to have great items at good prices. Business is definitely growing here in Emmett as people come in and discover all we have to make your home special and your life a little brighter.”

Webb Appliance, 365-5700 and All Wrapped Up Gifts, 350-3752;  Open M-F, 9-12/1-5; 1901 N Washington Ave.

We had the privilege of holding a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Gem County Recreation District’s grand re-opening.  The GCRD is a tremendous asset to our community.  They work hard to enrich the quality of life here in Gem County by providing affordable recreational opportunities for people of all ages.  We are grateful to have them as Chamber Members and we are lucky to have them in our community.

 Attending the ribbon cutting were Abra Dodson, Sam Gunderson, Bobbi Taylor, Michelle Davelaar, Kristen Seitz, Miranda Barren, and Devan Crump of the GCRD, along with GCRD Board Members Wayne Rexford and Roger Bennie.  Also in attendance were Jim Smith and Shelly Peterson of Body Shop Fitness Centers, Al Dimmick of Cherrystone Orchard, Tonja Hyder of the Messenger Index, Stacy Gulley of 4T Construction, Charlie West of Idaho Department of Labor, Torrey and Lynn Rose of House of Color, Alesha Wise, Adam Swart, Jacob Tilley, and Dian Streeby and Hoss White of the GCCC.

 The Gem County Recreation District is located at 107 E. Main Street in downtown Emmett.  They can be reached at 208-365-5748.

For Garnette Edwards, owner of Gem Butte Greenhouses, business is blooming. Edwards is the 3^rd generation to own Edwards Greenhouses in Boise. They purchased the Emmett location in 2003.

“We started Edwards Greenhouse in Boise in 1930,” said Edwards. “I’m now training the 4^th generation, my daughter Erin Monnie, to eventually take over. When we bought Gem Butte from Griders, it was a lot like coming home for me. As a young girl I spent many good times in Emmett with my Aunt Irene and Uncle Bob Carpenter. They owned Edgemont Greenhouse back then. On a Friday afternoon I’d ride the bus from Boise to Emmett. I loved coming to Emmett, it was a great place to spend time as a child. I loved that first view of the valley and all the colors exploding from the top of Freezeout Hill. The Butte looks like a diamond from up there with the snow capping it. My aunt and uncle’s son, John, has been a renowned florist in Boise for many years and works for us as our florist.”

Gem Butte Greenhouses is located on 20 acres offering retail sales from April to the end of June.

“We are landlocked in Boise as far as growing is concerned,” said Edwards. “When the Griders put the business up for sale, it was perfect for us. As a company, we grow about 80% of our annuals and 50% of our perennials. Emmett has great water, great soil and the temperature is usually just a few degrees cooler than Boise. The plants we grow in Emmet are spectacular. We grow about 80% of our stock sold in Boise in Emmett.”

Edwards Greenhouse in Boise has a retail store open year round, florist, classes and landscapes for commercial clients all over SW Idaho installing and maintaining flowers and plants.

“At Gem Butte Greenhouses we carry a large range of items and many flowers to put into your own patio containers,” said Edwards. “If there is something you want but don’t see, we can usually offer a 24 hour turnaround to get it in for you from Boise. We have a lot of unusual and different perennials grown as much locally as we can.”

A visit to the website www.EdwardsGreenhouse.com details the many products and services offered as well as a glimpse of their history.

“This is truly a family endeavor,” said Edwards. “My father used to tell me, ‘Garnette, we sell legal pleasure’ and he was so right. My mother (Josephine (Thornton) Edwards) is 91 years old and still comes to the garden center every day.”

Gem Butte Greenhouses is located at 2424 W. Idaho Blvd, 365-2834. www.EdwardsGreenhouse.com.