The plot of land that once housed Springfield's Urban Roots Farm is giving new life to a farm company run by a mother-and-daughter business duo.
London Gardens & Greenhouse is leasing some greenhouse space and garden beds from Urban Roots Farm, the community farm that decided to let the land go dormant in late-2023 after 14 years of serving Springfield. London Gardens is known for a large selection of house and outdoor plants, and is in the midst of planting produce to sell at market later this year, owner Victoria “Tori” London said.
The new-to-Springfield farm company specializes in herbs, and London's mother, Nicolee, sells a variety of rosemary, thyme and “she always has seven different types of mint,” Tori London said.
Tori London said she plans to sell this season via farmer's markets and the company's Facebook page, where she posts specials and ads.
“I feel like (London Gardens) is helping fill the void that Springfield is missing in this area,” London said at the farm June 12.
London Gardens, located at 823 W. State St., has herbs, pollinator plants, succulents and strawberry plants for sale, according to the company Facebook page. The company is doing business as “London Gardens & Greenhouse At Urban Roots.”
London Gardens specializes in plants, with plans for produce later
At this time, London Gardens is only selling plants, but London and her mother are starting to lay the groundwork for a fresh crop later this season, London said. The company will soon offer “18 different varieties of tomatoes and peppers,” as well as squash and green beans, she said. Some of the produce will be ready in the next four to five weeks.
London plans to start selling at a local farmer's market soon, she said. The business owner said she is not sure if she wants to join the Greater Springfield Farmer's Market, located in front of the Battlefield Mall, or the new market downtown on Park Central Square that opens June 15. The farm will also continue to sell via its Facebook page. A farm stand and a community-supported agriculture program are possible in the future.
A family history rich in farming, childhood filled with farmer's markets
London's farm expertise started at a young age, growing up on her father's farm in Aurora, she said. She frequented farmer's markets when she was a kid and being part of a farming community was a staple of her childhood.
“I went to all the farmer's markets with my mom growing up, so I knew all the plants,” London said.
The family farm in Aurora, which ran for 12 years, was sold at the beginning of 2024 after London's father passed away. Her mother moved to Springfield to be closer to her children, and, on a whim, started leasing greenhouse and garden bed space at the former-home of Urban Roots Farm in February, London said.
Nicolee London has known Adam and Melissa Millsap, the owners of Urban Roots and the land it once occupied, for years due to her career in farming around the Ozarks. Renting the space from the Millsaps was a no-brainer, said Tori London, who also knows the Millsaps well.
The parcel of land on West State Street is owned by Adam Millsap, with a sale date in June 2010, according to the Greene County Assessor's Office records. The land had a total appraised value of nearly $330,000.
Mother's health complications push Tori London to take over company
Since signing a lease, Nicolee London has suffered some health complications and Tori London said she officially took over the business in May to relieve her mother. London Greenhouse and Gardens, LLC, formed on June 10 and is registered to Victoria London, according to Missouri Secretary of State records.
Mom “got really sick,” Tori London said. “I was like ‘You're not going to kill yourself trying to do this. I'll take over.'”
London said the change-up happened at the right time in her life. She had just finished a four-year stint at JP Morgan Chase in Springfield as a cross-trained JP Morgan account supervisor.
“I worked in corporate America; that's what I say,” London said. “Then I quit so I could help her and mainly focus on this.”
“I do enjoy planting and stuff...This gives me the opportunity to problem solve without eyes on me all the time.”
London Gardens is renting the largest chunk of the 1.7-acres that used to be Urban Roots Farm, but other independent farmers are also renting some garden beds and plots, London said. London Gardens is renting greenhouses, the high tunnel and multiple garden beds from the Millsaps.
Tori London is focused on building out the business, both at farmer's markets and online through Facebook and Instagram, she said. She wants to continue to build an online audience that will help drive physical sales. The small family farm doesn't plan on hiring any employees at this time, but is always open to volunteers.
