All Your Gardening and Animal Care Supplies in One Place
AB Hatchery & Garden Center
Voted #1 Garden Center / Nursery and #1 Pet Store!
We Are Nature’s General Store
Welcome to AB Hatchery & Garden Center! Since 1939, we’ve been providing the Bloomington-Normal community with high-quality plants, supplies for pets and animals, lawn and garden products, and more—all with excellent customer service. As a long-standing, family-owned business, we provide the comfortable, neighborhood feel you want with the expert knowledge you need.
Our staff is prepared to answer all of your questions, whether they’re about caring for your lawn and garden, diagnosing a problem with your plants, or choosing the right food for your pet. We will even carry your bags to your vehicle!
Come visit our garden center in person between the historic Dimmitt’s and Founders’ Grove neighborhoods, or shop many of our products online today!
Plants
Our plant inventory is always changing, with new items added to our large selection every week! Be sure to like and follow our social media pages to stay up-to-date on our latest products and see when your seasonal favorites are back in stock!
We are your home for native Illinois plants to help local pollinators, plus annuals, perennials, and house plants. Explore our historic 80-year-old greenhouse and select from hundreds of options that will help you beautify your garden and boost your curb appeal.
Lawn and Garden
Caring for your plants, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and lawns doesn’t end with giving them enough water and sunlight. A lot of work needs to be done for them to thrive and be healthy – and that’s where we can help you.
We proudly offer a wide range of lawn care and gardening tools and supplies at competitive prices. From fertilizers, shovels, and soil to pesticides and fungicides, we have them all at our store. We also carry several products to help with your indoor gardening endeavors, including grow lights, fertilizers, and more.
Pet and Animal Supplies
In our shop, you’ll find high-quality, limited-ingredient pet foods with a wide selection for specialized dietary needs. We stock top brands like Taste of the Wild, Fromm, Natural Balance, American Natural Premium, and much more.
Have an exotic pet or animal to feed? We sell animal feed for virtually any animal you can think of! Don’t forget to treat your furry friend to a unique treat from the AB Biscuit Bar and join our loyalty rewards program to receive discounts and free merchandise.
Birds and Wildlife
Birds bring even more beauty to outdoor spaces, and we have all the supplies you need to attract them to your yard. We offer a variety of seeds, with special blends designed for all of our local species. Along with birdhouses, baths, and feeders, we also sell items for many other backyard friends, such as critter feeders, butterfly and insect houses, and more.
Jen’s Reels
See our most recent videos of cute animals, plants, and more by visiting our Instagram.
Ask Bill
If you have questions or are looking for advice, ask Bill! Visit our Facebook page today.
Pet of the Month
Vote for this month’s featured pet! Visit our Facebook page for more details.
Videos
Plants: Annual, Perennials, Vegetables & Herbs
Lawn & Garden Care
Pet & Exotic Animal Food & Supplies
Bird Seed, Farm & Small Animal Feed
Christmas at AB Hatchery
Calendar
September 18: Pumpkins and Gourds are here!!
September 23: Autumn Begins
September 25: Yom Kippur
October 7: Fall Fest 10:00am-2:00pm
October 9: Indigenous Peoples Day
October 14: Come get your carving kits, its carving time!!
October 16: National Boss’ Day
October 31: Bring your pets in, in their costumes for a free treat!
Our History
The original AB Hatchery & Garden Center was established in Saybrook, Illinois, in 1920 by Mr. Augustus and Mr. Butler, providing cattle feed and live poultry. Throughout the years, they opened branch stores on Main Street in Normal in 1925 and on East Grove Street in Bloomington in 1939. As a hatchery, they offered baby chicks until 1961, when the business was sold to Homer McCain, who added the garden center.
The business was eventually taken over in 1978 by Mr. McCain’s sons, Jeff, who started helping out in 1972, and Lynn, who joined in 1975. Despite the foundry and the barn catching fire in 1989 and 2010 respectively, the company flourished and became a go-to place for hatchlings and plants.
Our current owner, Bill, bought the business in 2018. A few years later, he hired his sister who became the general manager. Bill met his wife in 2005, married her in 2011, and eventually became a part of the crew in 2022. In 2015, Bill and his wife had a child who now has plans to take over the business and be just like their Dad.
