Shelby's First Hydroponic Gardening Supply Store Holds Grand Opening

Let’s clear the air now, Shelby Township’s new indoor gardening supply store, A1 Hydroponics, sells the equipment needed to cultivate indoor plants through hydroponics and soil.

Hydroponics is the process of growing plants without soil.

A1 Hydroponics said the township first denied their request to open up on Van Dyke Road south of 24 Mile Road because the township thought that the store was going to sell live marijuana plants, which is illegal in Michigan.

“We’re not. It’s only the equipment,” said Dina Viviano, the owner’s sister, who was helping out at the store when Patch dropped in. “We just had to talk to them–even if you have a seed its considered a live plant–but once they understood that, they did not hassle us anymore."

A1 Hydroponics opened its doors in May and has seen significant growth in the past few months. The store is having its official grand-opening party July 30.  At the grand opening, 89X radio (CIMX-FM) will be entertaining the crowd and hot dogs and beverages will be served from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The first 50 people to purchase an item from the shop, which will be 15 percent off, will receive a free gift.

A1 Hydroponics also sells indoor gardening supply and specialized plant nutrients that can be hard to find elsewhere.  Inside the store, a tomato plant sits under lights to demonstrate growing techniques to customers.

“With this economy, people need to find other ways to shop and possibly grow their own garden and put vegetables in the basement verses waiting for the summertime,” said Viviano.

The store was born out the frustration felt by Viviano’s brother about having to drive far for the supplies he needed to grow his medical marijuana at home.

Viviano, who doesn’t have a medical marijuana license but wanted to help her brother grow the business, said she had to learn fast how to help people who want to grow indoors. Especially since a first-time indoor medical marijuana grower with the maximum amount of plants allowed, which is 12, can easily spend $1,500-$2,500 to set up their operation.

“It’s like being a little scientist,” said Viviano. First, the growing room needs to be ready with the proper light exposure. “You need to control the whole environment.”

The proper soil, if you’re going to grow medical marijuana in a soil, is important. Or if you’re going to grow in water, you need reservoirs. Nutrients are a vital part of the growing process and a few pointers from the pros will go a long way.

So what if you have a medical marijuana license and all the equipment to grow? Where do you go to get the plants if, according to the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP), there is no place in the state of Michigan to legally purchase medical marijuana.

The Internet is where Viviano tells her clients to go to purchase seeds to start their first plant.

Viviano said there is still a stigma attached to hydroponic supply stores and oftentimes her clients are very private about their grow operations.

“I don’t care what you’re using this stuff for. It’s not my business. I am here to supply nutrients,” she said.

A1 Hydroponics is located at 52269 Van Dyke Avenue. For more information, call 586-231-6940.