Business

With North Texans sheltering at home, many find time to garden. Despite the pandemic, garden centers in Dallas are open, offering plants and supplies. Highlights include Marshall Grain, Weston Gardens, and online options like Eco Blossom. Safety measures are emphasized, with garden kits and curbside pickups available.

Debbie Cooley, founder of Aledo-based M-Pak, serves military and federal clients while promoting eco-friendly practices. Her initiatives include recyclable packaging, green shipping options, and office sustainability practices. Cooley is committed to environmental causes, joining global sustainability initiatives and implementing recycling programs locally.

Tarrant County residents, supported by Mansfield officials, oppose a proposed concrete plant due to pollution concerns. They’re preparing for a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality hearing and have raised funds for legal fees. Residents fear health impacts, and local representatives argue the plant belongs in an industrial, not residential, area.

Elephant Trunk Moving Supplies, co-owned by John Hancock in Plano, offers reusable plastic boxes as a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to cardboard. These durable totes reduce waste, save on labor costs, and offer a competitive rental service for movers, with home delivery and pickup included.

GoodWork, an eco-conscious coworking space in Dallas, promotes its sunny brand through a rooftop billboard and community outreach. Renovated by Gary Olp, the space offers eco-friendly features, supports solar power, and hosts creative professionals. It thrives on networking and a strong social media presence.

A state district judge ordered Blue Star Recycling to remove a five-story pile of asphalt shingles near Marsha Jackson's home within 90 days. Despite zoning law claims, Blue Star agreed to close under pressure. Jackson suffered from the pollution, and local activists celebrated the decision.

Two Dallas sisters, Marianne Lacko and Annette Baker, have expanded their all-vegan takeaway venture, Nature's Plate, by opening a third location in DFW. They offer delicious, healthy, prepped meals with eco-friendly packaging, along with classes and meal plans focused on unprocessed, plant-based foods.

Bottletop's eco-chic fashion pop-up at Northpark Center, Dallas, offers luxurious accessories made from upcycled materials like pop can tabs. The boutique, open until Dec. 31, showcases ethical fashion with products handcrafted in Brazil, supports sustainability, and donates profits to education-focused efforts globally.

Dallas-based TreeHouse, a green home improvement store co-founded by Jason Ballard in 2011, is closing after efforts to expand beyond Austin. Despite initially impressing with eco-friendly products and receiving accolades, pricing issues and leadership changes contributed to its decision to wind down operations.