By Kathy Chouteau
Annie Hayes, the iconic founder of Richmond’s Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, is retiring. Hayes announced the news on her Facebook page on Valentine’s Day, while also introducing Sarah Hundley as the retail and mail order nursery’s new owner. Hayes had worked in her role as founder and owner for nearly 30 years, per her post. The nursery will retain the “Annie’s” name, according to staff member Elayne Takemoto.
“It was a great adventure creating and running such a beautiful and joyful place together with all our wonderful workers,” stated Hayes in a post that appeared on both her and Annie’s Annuals & Perennials Facebook pages. “My only goal when I began was to have a nice place to go to work with nice people and to play with plants. My dream job came true–lucky me!”
Hayes credited Hundley as “a very brave lady” for taking over as the nursery’s new owner in general and amid the pandemic, noting it will “allow me to get some rest, spend time with my family and to pursue some of my long put-off creative endeavors.”
“I want to thank everyone for all your love, support and inspiration over the past (almost) 30 years…It was an amazing ride,” stated Hayes.
Annie’s Annuals and Perennials is located at 740 Market Ave. in Richmond and has made special arrangements to keep customers safe while purchasing items from the nursery during the pandemic. The Retail Nursery is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Mail Order Department is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more info, visit Annie’s Annuals & Perennials online here or contact the nursery at (510) 215-3301 or [email protected].
