Clearwater Nursery Files Chapter 11

Chris Beytes

No details on why, but court records reveal that Clearwater Nursery, the nationally-known Nipomo, California, potted plant grower, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection February 11. Clearwater operates 1.5 million sq. ft. of greenhouse on California’s Central Coast.

GrowerTalks tried to reach company president Eric Djafroodi, but he didn’t return our call by press time, so we’re not able to provide any details on the challenges Clearwater may have been dealing with that led to the decision to file. Nor do we know if it’s a reorganizational filing or the end of the business. There is a long list of creditors, including many well-known industry names.

Certainly, the potted plant business has been challenging. We lost Nurserymen’s Exchange in 2011 (although the facility was later taken over by Rocket Farms, which is still growing potted plants there). GT