Prescott, AZ - Watters Garden Center in Prescott, Prescott’s leading garden center, has recently joined the ranks of the horticulture industry's top independent garden centers when it was recognized as the most Revolutionary Garden Center in the Southwest .

Today's Garden Center's Revolutionary 100 program surveys and interviews garden center owners and managers that culminates in a listing of the 100 most revolutionary garden centers in the nation. The awards focus on recognizing the most innovative retail garden center operations, big and small, for their commitment to creating a customer experience that sets their operation apart from the rest, and doing so in a way that helps them to be a profitable business. It's all about being Revolutionary.

"Last year we made the top 100 list of garden centers in the nation, but I was surprised when we where named the very best in the Southwest. There are so many great garden centers in this part of the country that it's a huge honor," says Brad DeKruyter, general manager.

Garden center owners and managers across the United States are interviewed and cover questions such as employee training, industry involvement, profitability, marketing, use of technology, purchasing, customer and community service. The entrants are ranked according to a point system and the 100 top entries make the list.

"We try to make gardening easy for our customers. I tell our garden center team we are not selling plants, but rather gardening experiences where plants and people connect." says, Ken Lain, owner.

"I think the selection committee really liked the community fund raiser we do with the Rotary Club as well. I give the garden center to the local Rotary Club for an evening and they used it for a wine tasting that raised $19,000 last summer that funded 100% of Prescott's math and reading clinic last year. The garden center is like a park in June and the community really rallies behind this event. The wine tasting this year is Sunday, June 22, and I have given them free use of the garden center again."

"Watters has demonstrated excellence and unique innovation in marketing, retail business practices, and outreach to employees, customers and the community," say Richard Jones, Group Editor of Today's Garden Center. "We are honored to recognize them as our Southwest winner for their revolutionary achievements throughout the industry."

Representatives from Watters and the other four regional winners are honored in Atlanta, GA with their national awards. Each has been named a 2008 Most Revolutionary garden center in the country.

Watters Garden Center is located at 1815 Iron Springs Road, Prescott, and can be viewed at www.wattersonline.com or reached via cell at 928-713-3111.

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