City: Fairfield, N.J.

Owners: Frank Fernicola, Jim Fernicola and Frank Fernicola Jr.

Website: www.fairfieldgardencenter.com

Size: 5 acres

Years In Business: 42

Number Of Locations: 1

Sustainability: Uses energy-saving technology; takes back plastic pots from customers for recycling, as well as recycles cardboard packaging; offers composted material for customers; offers organically grown plant material; offers and promotes locally sourced products; educates customers on earth-friendly gardening; uses drip irrigation on trees; offers recycled shopping bags; uses organic pest controls whenever possible; became certified as a National Wildlife Federation certified habitat; requests product availability by email to save fax paper.

What Makes Your Garden Center Revolutionary: "Constantly looking at systems that are small but make a difference, such as scheduling and inventory control to end-of-the-day clean up schedules for the rest rooms. We are always trying to do little things that move us forward toward a more customer-centric environment. Simply adding more benches and garbage cans throughout our whole complex has helped give customers a place to rest as they shop in our nursery yard. Also, providing inspiration through beauty in our displays to help drive sales is a big commitment of ours."