Whether you’re an experienced terrarium builder or just starting out, PlantBar RVA is ready to help make your green dreams a reality.
If your room is looking a little plain and needs a pop of color, look no further than PlantBar RVA. A terrarium workshop and plant store, the colorful shop on Cary Street is an interactive way to make your own terrariums, buy plants, and learn more about taking care of the ones in your home.
PlantBar began as a plant importing business supplying Amazon, Zullily, and Terrain Garden Centers in 2012. It now has two locations: the flagship store in Virginia Beach, and a newer store in Richmond’s Fan District. The owner, Bailey Ryan, always wanted to expand into Richmond because of the local arts community.
“It had been in planning for over two years, and it took nearly six months to find the perfect space,” Ryan said. “We think we found the perfect home in the Fan!”
If you’re a first-time PlantBar visitor, Ryan suggests starting with a walk-in appointment. Don’t worry about having a busy schedule; you can walk in anytime, seven days a week, up until an hour before the store closes. Additionally, creating a terrarium to bring home can take as little as 15 minutes if you’re working on a smaller project.
If you’d like to build your own, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 — just walk in, let an employee know you want to make a terrarium, then grab a drink and start building. With plenty of options, their prices are all-inclusive and range anywhere from $20 to $100. They also host evening workshops for newcomers every Thursday through Saturday from 6:30-8pm, and they cost $35 to attend.
“You can choose any terrarium from our glass wall. A member of our staff will walk you through the different plant options, care, how to build your terrarium, and give you tips on décor,” Ryan said. “You can use any items on the worktable such as seashells, moss, sand, rocks, and dried florals. We give you the guidelines, but you’re able to express as much of your individual style as you’d like.”
PlantBar recently started hosting yoga and meditation workshops on Sunday mornings. These typically book to capacity about two weeks in advance, so you’ll want to plan ahead to attend. For larger groups and parties, they also host private events for social and corporate groups.
While their customers usually ranged from ages 25-36 before moving to Richmond, PlantBar is seeing a wider demographic in their new location. They’re set to open in Charlotte, NC this spring, and with hopeful plans for Raleigh on the horizon, their opportunities for do-it-yourself terrariums are growing for more cities south of Virginia.
If you’re planning a visit to PlantBar soon, be sure to check out their free potting service and various workshops. Walk-in hours have no age limit, but keep in mind that evening classes are for ages 16 and up — and if you’re feeling thirsty, complimentary beer and wine is available for everyone above 21.
Visit their website for more information, and find PlantBar on Facebook and Instagram to see more of their lush locations and terrarium varieties.