Spring has finally sprung and the weather is perfect for spending a day out of the house! But whatever will you do? Take a bit of inspiration from me (your favorite small town explorer) and show some love to a local business this spring season. 2026, after all, is the year to show up and shell out for all the local small businesses that make Gwinnett County so special, so buckle up, roll the windows down and enjoy the ride, because we’re going shopping! What better way to kick off the season of growth, creativity and connection than a trip to one of Norcross’s oldest booming and blooming small businesses: Good Things Home & Garden.
What began as a small-town fresh flower shop slowly evolved into a quirky and creative gift shop with innumerable trinkets, tchotchkes, garden decor and more in the heart of historic Norcross! The owner, Randy Hamilton, opened the shop in 1980 and has since relocated to expand his business into the ever-evolving gift and garden emporium it is today. He enjoys the “hometown” feeling of operating out of Norcross, the feeling of greeting his regular customers, giving amateur gardeners insights on how to care for their own plants and chatting with the members of his community.
Here, you can find seasonal merchandise and clever creative displays, home decor, garden accessories, fragrances, funny gift cards and even a selection of homemade dips to snack on as you shop. A true feast, both for the eyes and the belly, and a bang-on bargain for the bank account, the selection at Good Things is broad, odd and covers every imaginable gift-giving ground.
Unsure of how to spend the delightful spring day ahead of you? Make yourself an itinerary around visiting some of the small local businesses in your area, grab a light lunch, maybe a couple of cocktails (sit on the patio if you’re like me and need a little extra vitamin D) and then take a walk through the nearest park. This kind of plan works for every occasion and for almost every season, though winter gets a bit nippy. Whether it’s a first date, an outing with mom, a friendly hang or a simple self-care day, the secret to a nice spring is to surround yourself with nice people and things!
Some say the shop smells like sunshine, others claim that entering the shop is like falling down the rabbit hole and seeing Wonderland before you. Whatever your fancy or fantasy, Good Things Home & Garden is the place to go for all your most whimsical household needs.