About Us
Gregg Harris, Owner & Master Terrarium Planter
Our Story
The vision for Roosevelt’s Terrariums came to me in 2010 while I was grieving over the death of my dear wife of 37 years. As a single dad with my three younger kids still living at home, I wanted to do something WITH them, rather than just do everything FOR them.
I had been building terrariums as a hobby ever since I was a hippie down in Laguna Beach, California. So, I thought, “Why not open a terrarium shop together?” It took a few years to get it going but eventually, I was able to turn my hobby into a dream-business come true. At Roosevelt’s Terrariums I “do well for myself by doing good for others.” In practice that means that “doing good for others” always comes before “doing well for myself,” but it is amazing how faithful God is to allow the needed profits to appear as needed.
What’s With the Name?
The story behind the name Roosevelt’s Terrariums is a good one. Roosevelt grew up planting terrariums as habitat for his live collections of reptiles and amphibians, like just about everyone else in his day (i.e. the 1870s). His love for nature led him as President to become a founder of our National Park Services. This really hits home here in Portland because the Pacific Northwest is filled with thousands of acres of land that can never be developed on because they have been set aside as national and state parks and protected forests. It was his vision that made it happen.
Theodore Roosevelt was into terrariums all his life.
By the way, I also happen to be a professional Theodore Roosevelt impersonator, which makes his name the perfect name for our terrarium shop.
Continuing the Legacy
Sean Ade became the owner of Roosevelt’s in 2020. In the summer of 2020, I was just not in a position to continue keeping the business open due to COVID-19. After announcing that the shop would be closing, Sean reached out and asked me if he could purchase Roosevelt’s Terrariums and keep the shop open. I agreed and Sean took it over in September of 2020. I taught Sean everything I know about terrariums and the terrarium business. So the shop continued to be one of Portland’s most unique shopping destinations for the next 3 years!
Theodore Roosevelt as impersonated by Gregg Harris
Now Under “Old Ownership!”
As of December 26th, 2023, Roosevelt’s Terrariums is now back in my hands as its original owner. Sean did a great job keeping it going during the pandemic, which was very, very hard to do. He has improved many things about the shop.
However, Sean now has to take care of a family crisis out of state, and his Manager, Callie, has had to move away to take care of family obligations of her own. I admire them both for keeping their priorities straight. But that has created a crisis.
But the bottom line is, Sean is no longer able to continue owning and running Roosevelt’s. So, rather than just shutting it down, I have agreed to accept it back with “no fault and no foul.” Because I also own and operate Silver Falls Terrariums in Silverton, Oregon, I have had to hire a new full-time Manager for Roosevelt’s. Her name is Teresa, and she will be here at the shop, Wednesday through Saturday, running Roosevelt’s as of January 3rd, 2024 (We will now be closed on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday). Please welcome her into the wonderful Hawthorne community and be patient with her as she learns the ropes.
As part of this sudden transition, we have had to discontinue the mail-order side of our business and our Happy Hour program for the time being. Perhaps later, but for now, we will need to make everything as simple and easy to manage as possible. Teresa will staff the shop and teach all the terrarium classes herself. That will be plenty enough to keep her busy.
This transition has been amiable on all sides. I am excited to be back, and I look forward to seeing you here at the shop.
Thank you for your continued support,
Gregg Harris
December, 26th, 2023
P.S. You may call or text me at (503) 926-1388 with any comments or questions.
Follow Our Journey
@rooseveltspdx
