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By Jennifer Farnsworth
It was almost 20 years ago that Timmy Emanuel developed a business plan at SUNY Cobleskill as part of the curriculum. At the time, he came up with the name of his business—Native Sun Flowers.
Emanuel eventually put that plan to work and his dream is now reality. He operates Native Sun Flowers on Route 9 in Halfmoon, where people can find hanging baskets, herbs, perennials, annuals, houseplants, bedding plants and more.
His passion for horticulture runs deep and can be found in all the detail he has laid out for the business, including the logo. He said the meaning of the yellow and orange floral symbol stems from his Zia Pueblo people background.
Emanuel has 30 years of experience as a greenhouse grower. He began his career in 1991 working for the NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation in New York City. He said he worked in a small tropical greenhouse that was built specifically for hospital patients’ horticultural therapy.
“After working for several years at the hospital I decided to move to upstate. I moved to Schenectady and found a job working for a small mom-and-pop greenhouse in Niskayuna,” said Emanuel.
After moving to the Capital Region, he enrolled in the horticulture program at SUNY Cobleskill, graduating in the spring of 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in plant science. After graduating, he moved to New Hampshire, working for Pleasant View Gardens where they grow the Proven Winner brand of plants. He also gained experience working in Connecticut and New Jersey before returning to New York
In 2020, Emanuel was diagnosed with cancer. It became a time to reflect on what his goals were. He said while recovering from surgery, he decided to pursue his dream and open his own small greenhouse business.
He said he found a perfect place in Halfmoon, which happened to be available to lease.
“This was my dream come true,” said Emanuel.
Emanuel owns Native Sun with his wife Marcia Galka, a master gardener. He said through the support of Galka and some close friends, he was able to have the business up and ready for this year’s growing season.
Emanuel wants his customers to feel a different type of customer service when they visit. He wants them to feel free to ask for help with what they are purchasing and how to care for it.
“Business has been a little slow, but steady, as we continue to build up our clientele. It is our goal to offer the highest quality plant material in the area,” said Emanuel.
The shop has hanging baskets, Proven Winner annuals and bedding plants, grasses, herbs, perennials and vegetables. They will also do window boxes.
Native Sun Flowers is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are located at 1470A Route 9 in Halfmoon. The website is www.nativesunflowers.com and the phone is (518) 280-4424.