Chicken Scratch Garden’s plant nursery. Photo courtesy of Bradley Mitchell.
Located on Fort Worth Ave., Chicken Scratch Gardens is bringing Oak Cliff to life with its local, vibrant plants, chickens and boutique. Couple and co-founders Brandon and Bradley Mitchell’s one-of-its-kind plant nursery is opening this Saturday, August 5, contributing to the small business community.
“Our mission is to bring quality plants from local growers to the folks of Oak Cliff. My husband and I hope to create a fun atmosphere with 11 live silkie chickens and complimentary beer or wine while you shop,” Bradley Mitchell said.
Plants make for perfect home decoration among other things. Inside, shoppers will also find a boutique featuring everything from quirky dish towels and aprons to picture frames and candles.
Shoppers might also encounter 1-year-old Tuzka, the couple’s yorki whom they have appointed as store manager.
Aside from working in the healthcare industry for the past 25 years, Brandon and Bradley are both avid gardeners and started this venture a year ago. They are focusing the store’s variety on bedding plants, shrubs, and small trees.
They also take the opportunity to celebrate special occasions and seasons. This upcoming fall, the store will be decked out in pumpkins and fall-themed photo opportunities.
“We wanted to bring a personalized nursery experience to Oak Cliff because there’s really nothing over here other than the big box stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s, and it’s just not the same experience,” Bradley Mitchell said.
Bradley Mitchell said that the human connection in business transactions is necessary and isn’t achievable at the usual self-checkout kiosks.
He said that he would rather support local businesses and “in order to do that, we used to have to drive to downtown or North Dallas, so bringing that ability for people here in Oak Cliff- to have a place locally, to have someone to ask questions, to bring knowledge and our experience to the community- is our goal.”
The couple live in Winnetka Heights and have called it home for eight years. Bradley Mitchell said they have loved their life in Oak Cliff.
“This community has been really accepting,” he said. “Our neighborhood has definitely stepped up and shown support during pride month, making us feel at home.”
For now, the couple’s focus will remain on their first store, but they hope to expand to a few more locations over the years.
“We hope we can bring more color to our neighborhood and to all the neighborhoods here in Oak Cliff,” Bradley Mitchell said.
Chicken Scratch Gardens entrance. Photo courtesy of Bradley Mitchell.
Chicken Scratch Garden’s boutique. Photo courtesy of Bradley Mitchell.
