Texas Transplant Opens Gorgeous Garden Shop in Northport

One of Northport's newest businesses may also be among its most beautiful, as the Texas transplant who owns it reimagines what a garden shop can be.

Jeffrey Bittinger grew up in Huntsville, Texas, and said he inherited a love of the garden from his grandmother there.

"Saturday was the best day of the week growing up. My Grandmother and I would set out early and hit as many garden centers as we could. I soaked up every lesson and loved creating my own garden," Bittinger said. "Along the way, I formally studied Horticulture and became a Master Gardner, but the magical part of gardening - that certain something that touches your soul - that came from my grandmother."

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Life and romance brought Bittinger to the Tuscaloosa area more than 10 years ago, and he said he fell in love with the area and spent much of the last decade working as a personal gardener for clients across west Alabama.

"I worked for some amazing people. Designing, planting and growing their dream garden was such a privilege," Bittinger said. "I’ve worked with growers, interior and landscape designers, as well as managing nurseries over the years. Now it’s time for this next step."

That next step is sharing his special love for the garden at Bittinger & Co., his new shop on Hidden Dove Road off Highway 43 in Northport.

The sprawling store moves seamlessly in and outside of a recently converted home there, where Bittinger is selling annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, house plants, orchids, herbs and more.

The interior also features a wide variety of bespoke gifts - custom candles and herbal tea blends, art and other decorations for the home and garden and much more.

Although Bittinger is still in the process of planning a grand opening celebration for next Saturday, April 5th, the shop is already open Monday through Saturday from 9 to 5 p.m. Jeffrey and his loyal canine companion Vinny can be found there and ready to help, with a wide variety of items that are refreshed and restocked often.

"This garden shop has always been in me," Bittinger said. "A place to offer the highest quality products and services.  A place designed to be fun and inspiring, where you can learn and create your own vision, and maybe just like me, you’ll find a little bit of magic along the way."

Bittinger & Co. is open now at 4000 Hidden Dove Road in Northport off Highway 43. You can also keep up with Bittinger, Vinny and the shop on their Instagram here.

For more coverage of restaurant and retail development in west Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.