A new chapter is underway at the Interlake Garden Centre, where local owners Rayme and Michelle Thomson are blending community roots with a renewed vision for growth, customer experience and long-term sustainability.
Rayme Thomson waters plants inside the greenhouse at Georgetown Acres & Interlake Garden Centre as the couple prepares for the upcoming spring opening
The couple recently purchased the well-established business, now operating as Georgetown Acres & Interlake Garden Centre, and say the opportunity came at just the right time.
“After selling our former business, we were preparing to build new commercial greenhouses on our agricultural land when the opportunity presented itself,” said Michelle. “We loved the idea of elevating an already successfully operating business and knew we could bring longevity to the community as local residents already established here in the Interlake.”
Located in Winnipeg Beach, the garden centre is positioned in a community the Thomsons describe as being in a period of exciting renewal.
“There is a sense of revitalization happening in Winnipeg Beach that is very exciting, and it is a privilege to be able to add to the existing community,” she said.
Both bring diverse backgrounds to the venture. Rayme, who is Icelandic and Métis, was born in Gimli and returned to Manitoba after working in Alberta’s automotive sector before taking over his father’s businesses. Michelle, originally from Newfoundland, also worked in the automotive industry and previously operated a music studio as a vocal instructor and piano teacher. She later pursued graduate studies in counselling psychology.
The new name pays tribute to Rayme’s late father, entrepreneur George Thomson, while reflecting the couple’s desire to honour the past and build for the future.
Since taking over, the Thomsons have completed a number of upgrades aimed at improving both operations and customer comfort. Renovations include finishing the store ceiling, adding drywall, repainting, remodelling the washroom and checkout areas, and upgrading electrical systems throughout the greenhouses. New temperature monitoring systems and backup power have also been installed.
“We are also planning to create rest areas with seating and shade for our customers so they can enjoy shopping with more relief from the hot temperatures,” Michelle said, adding that ongoing maintenance and structural improvements will continue in phases.
As the business prepares for its spring opening, customers can expect a wide selection of annuals, perennials and gardening supplies tailored to the Interlake region. Inventory will include flowers, herbs and vegetable plants, along with trees and shrubs such as pine, spruce, juniper and maple varieties. Fruit trees, ornamental grasses and additional landscaping plants will also be available.
Beyond plants, the Thomsons are expanding the retail offering to include seed potatoes, onion sets, birdseed, soils, fertilizers and a variety of gardening tools and supplies. Giftware and Georgetown-branded merchandise will also be featured as part of the in-store experience.
Michelle has further strengthened the business’s foundation by pursuing a horticulture diploma this winter, driven by a growing fascination with plant science and greenhouse production.
“Most valuable was studying Integrated Pest Management to ensure the healthiest growing environment possible, as well as plant identification,” she said. “With just under 400,000 documented plant species, it is fascinating how similar and yet vastly different each one can be.”
She hopes that knowledge will translate directly to customers, not only through plant care advice but also by encouraging a deeper connection to gardening.
“We are in a shifting time, where growing plants can establish not only a decorative sense of pride but also a more cost-efficient food source,” she said. “It helps people reconnect with nature, learn new hobbies and engage with community gardening efforts.”
The garden centre will feature a strong emphasis on Manitoba-grown products and plants suited to the Interlake climate.
“Supporting local is paramount,” Michelle said. “Local supports us, and by doing so we create a cycle that benefits both our community and our province.”
Among the unique offerings customers can expect is the “Sensitive Plant,” a houseplant known for responding to touch, alongside a full range of seasonal favourites.
Looking ahead to opening day — tentatively set for April 22, weather permitting — the couple says their goal goes beyond simply selling plants.
“We hope that anyone who walks in our door leaves better for having come through it,” Michelle said. “We want people to say, ‘that’s the place,’ and continue to use coming to the garden centre as a reason to visit and support other local businesses.”
Plans are already in motion for workshops, partnerships with industry professionals and on-site educational opportunities aimed at both new and experienced gardeners.
“We want to keep things simple as well — offering basic gardening practices, tips and learning from our customers too,” she added.
As the growing season approaches, the Thomsons encourage patience among eager gardeners.
“Remember to wait for the last frost and keep coverings handy,” she said. “Nourish your soil with compost once the snow melts, and check for animals that may have made a home in your garden over winter.”
With full greenhouses and a clear vision for the future, the Thomsons say they are ready to build on the garden centre’s legacy while adding their own personal touch. “Our goal is to provide dependable products and to be straightforward in how we work,” Michelle said. “We’re proud to be part of the community and to offer something people can rely on.”
