SPRINGFIELD – In August 2025, Bob and Gayle Kramer announced their retirement and the closing of a beloved plant nursery. Little Red Farm Nursery at 1020 S. 42nd St. did not stay closed long, though, as former employee Natalie Reeves took over the business under Bob’s mentorship.
The nursery shut its doors at the end of October and celebrated a reopening on Valentine’s Day last weekend. Familiar faces were eager to be back at the plant shop, some even waited in the rain for the gates to officially open.
“We have the right person to hand it over to,” Gayle said. She said her reaction to Reeves wanting to carry on the legacy was amazement, wonder, and happiness. “It was really great, we weren’t expecting it.”
Reeves had been an employee only since late April last year. Bob has been guiding her through ordering plants and what it takes to run the establishment.
“When you know something for 35 years, you know something about it, so I’ve just been trying to pour that into her,” he said.
Reeves called the nursery a “little hidden gem. You get there and it’s like a secret garden. It has such a great vibe. It really is unique in terms of a retail garden center. And it’s not just about the plants that are there, it’s also about the great staff,” Reeves said.
All of Bob and Gayle’s previous employees remain on staff.
“Everybody who works here loves plants and loves what they do, and it shows every day,” Reeves said.
The outpouring of support from the community can be seen across the nursery’s social media pages. Bob mentioned that most folks expressed happiness for the Kramers’ retirement but also sadness at seeing the nursery close. When the reopening was announced, many shared their excitement.
“There are people I have to thank, and it would be Bob and Gayle, the staff, friends, and family. I have had so much support,” Reeves said. “There aren’t many times in your life when you have so many people rooting for you and supporting you. It’s actually brought me to tears many times, because there’s just so much excitement and support and people cheering you on.”
The nursery is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday. It offers trees, shrubs, flowers, indoor and outdoor plants, herbs, annuals, and more, all depending on the time of year.
