Today we’d like to introduce you to Randy Cannon.
Hi Randy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started about 20 years ago with Manny’s potting soil business on Hillsborough Ave. Deeply inspired by their father’s green thumb, Manny’s daughters, Brenda and Jeimy, developed their own passion for greenery. They began sharing this love through local pop-up plant shops, searching for a permanent place to plant their roots.They eventually discovered a charming, abandoned house with no roof at 2606 W Hillsborough Ave. Recognizing its hidden potential, they transformed the open-air structure into a unique, thriving plant shop originally known as Garden of Joy. They poured their hearts into running the shop for two to three years. However, as single mothers balancing heavy family responsibilities, they eventually made the difficult decision to step away and close the doors.As a dedicated plant lover and active community member, I could not bear to see this beautiful space disappear. Recognizing how much this sanctuary meant to the neighborhood, I stepped in and took over ownership to keep the dream alive.We proudly reopened our doors right after Thanksgiving in November 2025. To mark this fresh chapter, we rebranded from Garden of Joy to Grown in Dirt Garden Shop. Today, Jeimy continues to be a vital part of the journey as our store manager. Together, we are honoring the family’s original legacy while infusing it with our own unique style. The community has embraced us with open arms, and we are thrilled to keep growing together.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has been a remarkably smooth road for us, and we owe that entirely to our incredible community. Transitioning into ownership and rebranding a business can naturally come with uncertainties, but the overwhelming support from plant lovers all over the Tampa Bay Area, as well as our immediate local neighborhood, made the entire process seamless. From day one, the community has shown up for us with open arms, shared enthusiasm, and steady loyalty. Knowing that we have a passionate network of plant lovers standing behind Grown in Dirt Garden Shop has turned what could have been a challenging transition into a truly joyful and rewarding journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My background is a mix of hard work and passion. After years balancing roles as a Realtor and working part-time at FedEx, I took the leap to become the full-time owner of Grown in Dirt Garden Shop.What We Specialize In: High-quality indoor and outdoor plants, curated pottery, Manny’s world’s best potting soil, a plant gift shop and expert care advice. We are best known for our unique home—a beautiful, roofless open-air house transformed into an urban jungle.What We Are Most Proud Of: Stepping in as a community member to save this neighborhood sanctuary from closing, keeping a 20-year family legacy alive with Jeimy as our manager.What Sets Us Apart: Our rich history and unmatched aesthetic. We do not just sell plants; we offer an unforgettable experience inside an architectural hidden gem.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I Like Best and Least About the Tampa Bay AreaWhat I Like Best: The diverse communities and unique cultural pockets across the region. Traveling all over the area for real estate clients, I love how each neighborhood has its own distinct personality. This diversity brings together a vibrant mix of people and local businesses, which is exactly the kind of community support that has allowed our garden shop to thrive.What I Like Least: The absolute chaos of Tampa Bay traffic. Navigating the daily gridlock and unpredictable commuting delays between real estate appointments and the shop is definitely the most challenging part of getting around our otherwise beautiful city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grownindirtgardenshop.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/@grownindirtgardenshop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grownindirtgardenshop
- Yelp: https://Yelp.com/grownindirtgardenshop
- TikTok: https://TikTok.com/@grownindirtgardenshop
