Walk in and smile: Leaf plant shop opens in Clayton
Walk in the door and you'll never be able to tell Leaf plant shop is Amy Read's first business.
Hundreds of plants line each wall, floor-to-ceiling, in the cozy space. Leaf opened in August at 112 N. Church St. in downtown Clayton, and customers are already captivated.
"I've always loved plants," said Read, who remembers learning about plants from her aunt, who gifted her the first houseplant she owned.
Read, who noticed a need for a houseplant shop in Clayton, has become a staple in the community, winning two awards for most creative store window and best new downtown business in the four months she's been open.
Her own home is overflowing with plants, which she calls "her babies." She also has three grown children, ages 22, 20 and 17.
Now that her kids are grown, Read is pursing her own dream. With the help of her husband, who built Leaf's shelves by hand and helped turn Read's vision into a reality, she has created a haven for plant lovers like herself.
Read wants to keep Leaf's prices reasonable and make the space comfortable and relaxed.
"[Affordability] was important to me, because I know it can get intimidating when you're plant shopping. I want people to enjoy plants, so I am keeping it as reasonably priced as I can to still pay my rent," Read said.
Leaf carries houseplant staples, but the inventory of macrame hangers, pots and plants keeps keeps rotating as Read finds new and interesting items.
"Every time someone comes in here, I want them to be delighted with something new," she said. "I love seeing people get excited when they walk in the door."
There's also a focus on selling local products -- from hand-poured cement pots from Charlotte and candles from Mocha Apothecary in Clayton to soil from Good Dirt in Raleigh, which is connected to N.C. State University's horticulture department and the "best soil I've ever used," according to Read.
New to plants? Read can answer questions and help customers find the perfect addition for their home. If she doesn't know the answer, she'll call upon other experts to find out.
Read's favorite houseplant is the easy-to-care-for philodendron.
"It's beautiful and elegant," she said. "I don't know what it is about them, but they get to my heart."
Low light houseplants for beginners
Low-light houseplants make a great gift. Here are five hard-to-kill options that can thrive without a lot of care. You can find them all at Leaf.
- Pothos
- ZZ plant
- Air plants
- Philodendron
- Snake plants
