'Woody’s' Family Tree Has Deep Roots in Duluth

To meet Frank “Woody” Bell, one would never guess that he is responsible for growing the oldest family-owned business in Duluth. Although his easy-going manner, quick smile, and self-effacing sense of humor don't appear to be those of a successful entrepreneur, isn’t celebrating 37 years in Duluth by accident.

“It’s been as much luck as talent," insists Bell. However, Woody’s was among the first nurseries to experiment with “cold frames," a method of building greenhouses that are open for ventilation in the summer, but covered for protection in the winter. “People said I was wasting my time with those," recalls Bell, “because the weather in this area is so mild." That decision allowed him to survive particularly cold winters in the late 1970s that drove some growers out of business.

The business' "roots" began when Bell’s father Frank Sr. sold plants to put Woody through the University of Georgia, where he was studying landscape architecture and horticulture. Following graduation, Bell was ready to turn the family hobby into a full-time business.  

The nursery property on Buford Highway is within sight of Woody’s childhood home. “I guess you could say I haven’t really gotten very far in life,” Bell says with a smile, referring to the location. However, that was another fortuitous decision the family made. 

“When we first opened," Bell remembers, “all of the business was done in Atlanta.” As Atlanta has grown, the business has come to Woody’s, now responsible for the sale of plants and landscape materials from Atlanta to Buford and parts north.

It was while at UGA that Woody met his wife Beth. Initially a full-time teacher, Beth soon jumped into the family business, although she still substitute teaches at Duluth High School.

Woody’s perpetually smiling employees are partially due to the light-hearted atmosphere Beth helps foster. “A few years ago," she recalls, “we gave T-shirts to our customers that said ‘I Got Loaded At Woody’s.'” Another sported a picture of the one-eyed cat that was a nursery “resident" under the words “We’ll Keep An Eye On You." 

A Woody’s trip is an horticultural adventure. The sprawling 13 acres includes 40 greenhouses with shrubs, grasses, perennials, and trees, as well as warehouses full of materials. 

One soon stumbles upon another secret of Woody’s success. It doesn’t rely on a municipal water supply. All watering is done with fresh water from wells that feed a pond on the property. While other nurseries suffered during the drought three years ago, Woody’s thrived.

Woody allows that he doesn’t spend as much time at the nursery as he once did. Frank III now runs the show, along with longtime employee and honorary family member Martin Gilley. When his father's “semi-retirement” is mentioned, Frank, who has been at the nursery since he was 15, laughs. “He still comes in every day." 

Woody has never considered additional locations. “You lose a lot of your efficiency if you’re not able to oversee the operation," he says, shaking his head. “You can’t do that with multiple sites."

That efficiency still includes time for fun, though. When a picture of Woody and Beth in the style of Grant Wood’s iconic farm painting “American Gothic” was proposed, the couple's eyes light up.  “I’ll go find a pitchfork," Beth says, scurrying to the shed. You just don’t find that kind of infectious enthusiasm everywhere.