A TreeHouse Grows in Austin

Anacostia isn't Austin. But there are always lessons and best practices and cool things that can brought and taught from place to place. TreeHouse, simply, is the "Whole Foods / green version of Home Depot" (but not quite as big as the other big boxes) and just opened last week in Austin, Texas. The company was founded by a friend of mine who used to live in DC, so fingers are crossed that he'd be interested in one day bringing his concept back east.

The store is certainly filling a niche. People want homes that don't poison them, that are made with sustainably sourced and harvested materials, and that can be maintained with earth-friendlier products than what are found at most places.

Check it out:


great logo, solar panels on top, what's not to love?


this is what makes the store pretty awesome.


Got a question in need of a solution?


quantity and diversity: what you do not get at the other big boxes...


tile made from recycled toilets? yes, please.


again -- it's all green.


another view of the general feel of the store...


how cool is it that they tell you to ask honest questions about their products?


plant selection chosen for climate suitability and nativeness.

What do you think? I know the first store just opened two days ago, but is this a concept that needs to spread? www.TreeHouseOnline.com

(Thanks to my awesome parents who snapped these photos!)