The Vine Plants New Roots in Downtown North Platte

North Platte – When Jennifer Prince became an empty nester, she found herself searching for what came next.

For years, Prince built a career in the wine industry, serving as a wine director and earning her Level 3 sommelier certification. She had planned to pursue the highest level of certification when an unexpected wine allergy forced her to reconsider her future.

“I developed an allergy to wine, and every time I drank it, my ears and lips would swell,” Prince said. “At that point, I just kind of took a step back and said, ‘Okay, maybe I’m not going to do that right now.’”

What initially felt like a setback eventually became an opportunity.

During a trip to Washington state, Prince visited a small boutique plant shop that immediately captured her imagination.

“I walked in and thought, this is the dream,” she said. “I kept saying somebody should open a shop like this downtown. Finally, my mom said, ‘What? Just do it.’”

That encouragement sparked the beginning of The Vine, a specialty plant shop that opened April 1, 2026, in North Platte’s Historic Canteen District.

Growing Something Different

The Vine specializes in indoor plants, with a strong focus on tropical varieties and hard-to-find species that customers often cannot find at larger retailers. Prince has also expanded the shop’s cactus and succulent offerings, creating a destination for both experienced collectors and those purchasing their first houseplant.

Demand has exceeded expectations.

“I would say the biggest challenge has just been keeping the shelves stocked,” Prince said. “We brought in 1,500 plants when we first opened, and they went fast.”

While popular varieties such as monsteras and philodendrons remain customer favorites, Prince says some of the fastest-selling plants are rare, unique varieties that are harder to find elsewhere.

Building Community Through Plants

From the beginning, Prince envisioned The Vine as more than a retail store.

The shop hosts workshops and classes covering topics ranging from macramé to terrarium building, with a kokedama workshop planned in the near future. Kokedama is a traditional Japanese gardening technique that involves growing plants in moss balls rather than in pots.

The Vine also partners with neighboring businesses to create community events. One of the most popular is monthly plant bingo, hosted alongside APEShip Brewing Company next door.

“We fill the place,” Prince said. “People love to play plant bingo and win plants.”

The collaboration reflects the supportive culture Prince has found in downtown North Platte.

“The downtown community is amazing,” she said. “Everybody communicates with each other, supports each other, and sends customers to neighboring businesses. It’s like a little network down here.”

Support Along the Way

As she explored the possibility of opening a business, Prince quickly realized she needed guidance navigating the financial and operational side of entrepreneurship.

That led her to Moraine Davis-Magnuson, Center Director for the Midwest Region at the Nebraska Business Development Center.

“In the beginning, this was literally just an idea,” Prince said. “I had no idea how to do any of this.”

Prince credits Davis-Magnuson with helping her turn that idea into a realistic business plan.

“She was so informative right out of the gate,” Prince said. “I felt like I was up here asking, ‘What do I do here? What do I do here?’ and she just made it all make sense.”

From financial projections to startup logistics, Davis-Magnuson helped Prince build confidence in her plan and move forward.

"I really don't think I could have gotten where I am right now without her help and guidance," Prince said.

"Jennifer transformed a personal passion into a business that is already making an impact in downtown North Platte," said Davis-Magnuson. "She embraced every step of the entrepreneurial journey, from financial planning to opening day, and her commitment to creating a welcoming community space has been inspiring to watch."

Looking Ahead

While The Vine is still in its first year, Prince is already preparing for its next phase.

The business is currently pursuing a liquor license and renovating part of its space to create a wine bar and café. The addition will bring together Prince’s background in wine and her passion for plants under one roof.

“If everything goes according to plan, I’d love to open the wine side in August,” she said.

For Prince, the journey from sommelier to small-business owner has been unexpected but rewarding.

What began as a dream inspired by a plant shop hundreds of miles away has quickly become a vibrant part of North Platte’s downtown community.

Through unique plants, creative workshops and strong local partnerships, The Vine is helping customers cultivate something more than greenery—it’s helping grow connections throughout the community.

To learn more, go to https://thevinenp.com/