To Gather And To Grow: The Plant Connector Pops Up In Pittsfield

“A community center disguised as a plant shop” is how the owners of The Plant Connector describe their venture. Opened in 2020 on Eagle Street in North Adams, the shop quickly outgrew that space. The Plant Connector moved to Main Street and added a refillery, encouraging customers to bring their own containers and fill them with bulk personal, home, and plant care products. Now, like the plants, the shop is growing again — at least temporarily — with a pop-up shop at 64 North Street in Pittsfield, engendering more plants, more people, and more community, through December 30.

“We’re trying to get closer to people in central Berkshire County, and we believe in being in a downtown environment,” says Emilee Yawn, co-owner of the business along with Bonnie Marks. “This is sort of six-week exploration to see if The Plant Connector and Pittsfield are a match.”

The pop-up shop, located in an available storefront space, is open and airy, its concrete floors and high ceilings warmed by the plants. This location carries much of the same plants and merchandise as the North Adams location (minus the refillery) and will be hosting events throughout December. Check the website for the lineup.

Emilee Yawn

Yawn, whose background is in landscape architecture, and Marks, who handles the financial aspects of the business, love sharing plants and say their mission is to connect people to the joy of plants and foster a thriving green community. To facilitate that connection, a table is set up in back for classes and conversation — and on it, a plant match maker application that will help you select the plant that’s right for you.

Along with a large variety of plants, the shop offers the essentials that go along with the greenery — pots, moss, terrarium bowls and accessories to fashion a do-it-yourself terrarium. It’s a planty-gifty shop, filled with jewelry, greeting cards, candles and, of course, holiday décor.

“We try to have a price range for everyone,” Yawn says, adding that the plants they sell come from organic growers.

With the mindset of nurturing both people and plants, it’s not surprising that Yawn and Marks would be concerned with their customers’ well being.

“Even though it’s the holidays, let’s slow down a little bit,” Yawn says.

The Plant Connector pop-up shop is a just the place to do that.