From left, Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation Executive Director Patrick Sullivan, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Director Ryn Herrmann, Petree Garden Center General Manager Laural Hardin, County Council Chair David Izraelevitz, Hardin’s husband Jeremy Smith and others snip the ceremonial red ribbon this morning to officially open Petree Garden Center at 2470 East Road. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com 
Petree Garden Center General Manager Laural Hardin speaks with Metzger’s Do It Best General Manager David Jolly this morning before the ribbon cutting ceremony. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.comBy KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Just in time for the start of spring, Petree Garden Center officially opened for business this morning at 2470 East Road.
A large group of employees, Chamber of Commerce representatives and community members stood on the steps of the new business and snipped the ceremonial red ribbon to welcome Petree Garden Center into Los Alamos.
Petree Garden Center is in the former De Colores restaurant and although it is a completely different business, County Council Chair David Izraelevitz pointed out to the crowd that some things have remained unchanged. He said “de colores” means colors in Spanish and with its wide array of vibrant colored flowers and plants, Petree Garden Center is adding more color to the community.
“Congrats to everybody … I look forward to a lot of business here,” Izraelevitz said.
Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Director Ryn Herrmann also offered her congratulations to the new business.
“It’s an honor to be here,” she said. “These guys have worked so hard. It’s a real honor to be here and to get to help them celebrate this wonderful milestone. This is such a wonderful addition to the community.”
To mark the occasion, bagels and coffee were served and the garden center held a drawing.
Having the garden center officially opened feels good, Petree Garden Center General Manager Laural Hardin said.
“It really feels like a gift and I’m really excited to share it with everybody in the community,” she said.
“It feels great to be opened,” garden center employee Katie Jones said. “I’m looking forward to it. Now we have to see how much of it (the merchandise) comes home with me!”
Petree Garden Center employee Katie Jones works the cash register this morning. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
County Council Chair David Izraelevitz, left, speaks with Los Alamos Landscaping & More owner Craig Wehner this morning at the offical opening of Petree Garden Center. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
LACDC Executive Director Patrick Sullivan checks out the merchandise at Petree Garden Center. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
A scene from the official opening this morning of Petree Garden Center. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
A scene from the official opening this morning of Petree Garden Center. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com