THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 25, 1995 TAG: 9506230154
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
There's a little bit of Florida in Chesapeake these days, and you'll find it at the intersection of Battlefield Boulevard and Hollywood Drive. That's where Darwin and Elena Mesa have set up a temporary shop to sell their tropical palm trees and plants.
Motorists can't help but catch a glimpse of the Mesas' merchandise, which includes palm trees, banana trees, ficus trees, hibiscus, cactus and bird of paradise, under a large blue-and-white circus tent.
The Mesas will be selling exotic plants at the location through June and July.
Although the couple are new at running their own business, they aren't rookies when it comes to selling plants.
``My husband worked for a plant store for quite awhile before we started doing this on our own,'' said Elena Mesa.
She said she likes being an entrepreneur but, like owners of any home-grown business, the couple must put in long hours to make the business work.
``Darwin drives down to Miami once a week and buys the plants wholesale,'' said Elena. Once their truck is packed with palm trees and other exotic plants, Darwin makes the long trip home again. The drive takes about 18 hours and because of all the hours on the road, Elena and Darwin don't get to see much of each other.
But the hard work has been paying off. Although they've only been selling their merchandise in Chesapeake since last Friday, business has been brisk.
``Sunday was really packed,'' said Elena.
The plants range in price from $7.99 for small hanging plants upward to $300 for large palm trees, which the Mesas will deliver and plant in your yard.
That's what Cary Nothnagel, a new Chesapeake homeowner, was interested in buying.
``I was just driving by and saw these beautiful palm trees,'' said Nothnagel. ``I just don't think my homeowner's association would approve of a palm tree in my front yard.''
Instead, Nothnagel opted for indoor trees and plants to brighten his now-bare home.
``I don't have much luck with plants, so I hope they make it,'' he said.
But he needn't worry too much. The Mesas educate their customers about how to care for their plants.
``Since they're tropical, most just need maximum sun and some watering,'' said Elena Mesa.
But the palm trees require a bit of pampering during the winter months. ``You have to wrap them in burlap and bubble wrap to keep them warm,'' she said.
Before coming to Chesapeake, the couple sold their plants and trees in Virginia Beach for two months.
``After we've been in an area for a while, we've sold all the plants we're going to sell,'' said Elena.
That's why the Mesas will be moving on at the end of July.
``We'll probably go to North Carolina. But we're not really sure yet.''
The Mesas' plant tent is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the couple said they take special orders, just in case you don't find what you're looking for under the tent. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
Darwin and Elena Mesa will be selling tropical palm trees and plants
during June and July.
by CNB