Bordine’s – Clarkston

I used to love this place. I would come at all times of year, and looked forward to every visit. It was like walking into another world, expansive, enticing, full of amazing and beautiful things. I was always inspired.
Then one day this spring, someone got the idea that they should put up partial, cheaply-​constructed walls and build barriers so that when you walk in, you can only see walls and patio furniture set up in little display rooms.
There’s no sign of plants, no way to look around and see what’s available or where to go for what you want. You can’t look around for a salesperson, either, because the new walls block your line of sight.
You are channeled through pathways so confusing they’ve had to put up signs telling you what’s ahead and what direction to go in. Far from getting me to look at the patio furniture, it is frustrating and slightly claustrophobic.
They’ve even slanted the aisles in the tools and supplies area, further blocking line of sight. It’s insane.
My mother was an antiques dealer and I’m familiar with, and helped her with displays in, many different settings including design centers, collectives bigger than the Bordine’s space, and small storefronts. I understand the different models of retail design and the concept behind them. This fits none of those models and appears designed to create a «get what you came for and get out» experience, instead of inspiring shoppers to explore, browse, linger.
I’ve asked some of the salespeople why they made such a catastrophic retail blunder, and they tell me whoever did this wanted it to be «like IKEA,» and that while many customers have complained, it will never change because whoever decided this wants it this way.
Several times this summer I’ve found myself driving to nurseries farther away simply because walking into this location is so aggravating.
At the very least they should take down the wall to the immediate left when you walk in so you can see the rest of the store and the plants, instead of feeling like you’ve accidentally entered the world’s smallest patio furniture store.
At the best, they should walk this whole ill-​conceived and poorly-​executed plan back, and give us back our wonderland. I miss it.

So the last time I went to rehab they asked me «so what’s your addiction this time?»
«BORDINE! I can’t get enough, go there everyday, please help me!
Great sales, great sales staff, and unique landscaping stuff, a ton!»
Yep, they left me sitting there and high tailed it to Bordine.

A gardening and outdoor lovers paradise! I could spend hours walking the aisles… the staff is super knowledgeable and helpful if you’re looking for something specific or special. Honestly I can get into trouble there. I go in for 1 or 2 things and end up needing a truck!
Also love that they will let you call in an order and pay by phone if you’re in a rush… just go to the counter and pick up your goodies!

Great place to get your plants. We got our fruit trees from them last year and after a harsh winter I was happy that 7 out of 8 survived, and even happier that I was able to take the dead one back and get credit fort it. Bought my roses as well as peonies there and enjoying them bloom outside my window

I’m going to start my review by saying that I might be a little biased since I was a summer/​seasonal employee at this location for five years, but the Clarkston Bordine location is the best gardening store in the area!
The amount of compliments I would receive from customers was astronomical. People would comment on a daily basis saying that the Clarkston location had the friendliest and most helpful employees. Almost every customer that walks through the doors is greeted with a smile and a «hello.» The employees are quick to ask customers if they need help finding anything, too.
You can find anything gardening related here: flowers (annuals and perennials), bulbs, seeds for your garden, soils/​composts/​mulches (in bags and bulk), gardening tools, garden décor items, pond plants/​materials, etc. They have it all!
They also feature special classes throughout the year to correlate with the seasons. Each location has a garden design artist who will draw up a plan for your garden for a fee.
Bordine Nursery is open all year round — flowers in the spring/​summer; flowers, bulbs, pumpkins and cornstalks in the fall; holiday trees and fresh greens in the winter — and they are a dog-​friendly business. Your dog can roam around with you while you shop, both in the garden store and outdoors. The cashiers usually have dog treats for them, too!

Definitely THE place to go for any gardening needs.
The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly, they’ll even help you arrange your garden if you’d like. The quality can’t be beat. The prices are a little bit more than you’ll find at somewhere like Meijer, but it’s definitely worth the quality.
I won’t go anywhere else.

Simply the best.
Service, expertise and high quality merchandise. Flowers and plants are beautiful and there is plenty of variety to choose from.