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Formerly Nico's on First Ave
A Tri-Cities plant shop with a new name
SOILMATES is the Tri-Cities plant shop at 525 W. 1st Ave in downtown Kennewick, the one you may know as Nico's on First Ave. Same building, same plants and the same plant help, under a new name.
Our story
From Nico's to SOILMATES
Nico's on First Ave opened in June 2023 in the old Carmine's Restaurant building in downtown Kennewick. Regulars on Google called it one of the best-stocked plant shops in the Tri-Cities: a rotating mix of hoyas, monsteras, philodendrons, carnivorous plants and soil blends, for plant people in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and West Richland and the ones who drive in from farther away.
In 2026 the shop became SOILMATES Plant Shop. The name is new. The building, the plants, the repotting and the plant help are the same. What is new: our own line of plant apparel, from Plant Killers Club to Plants & Coffee.
Why SOILMATES? Soil plus mates. Every plant person has a perfect match out there, and helping you find yours is the whole job.
The shop, First Avenue Plants, art and a little attitude. Since 2023.
Why people shop here
More than a plant shop
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One of a kind
A handpicked mix of rare, vibrant, statement-making plants you will not find at a big box store, next to easy starters for first-time plant parents.
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Real plant help
We are plant people. We help you choose for your light and your schedule, troubleshoot problems, and make sure you leave confident.
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Community rooted
A small local business on First Avenue, with local makers on the shelves, family workshops on the calendar and good energy at the counter.
Local makers
Small shops helping small shops
Our shelves carry gifts from local makers: cards, macrame, pots and other finds you will not see at a chain store. Buying one supports two small businesses at once.
Workshops and makersGoogle reviews
What plant people say
Straight from Google, most written back when we were Nico's on First Ave. Same shop, same plant people.
- "Great quality and variety" Joel T
- "Love this place ❤️" Colleen Anderson
This is my favorite plant shop by far. I don't live in Tri Cities but come to shop about once a month and always stop at Nico's. I have found the best plants here and best prices.
Absolutely the best place to buy your houseplants in the tri cities area. Knowledgeable and friendly, not to mention almost giving away his inventory as far as prices are concerned.
Nicos is probably the largest, best stocked indoor plant shops in Tri-Cities. The owner and his family have taken very good care of me as a customer, and have gone out of their way to provide excellent customer service many times.
What a wonderful small business! My husband took me here as a surprise and I was in LOVE from the minute we pulled into the parking lot.
Downtown Kennewick
Come meet your plants
525 W. 1st Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336. Plants, gifts from local makers, soil and SOILMATES apparel, all under one roof.
Open Tuesday to Sunday- Tuesday to Friday
- 10 AM–6 PM
- Saturday
- 10 AM–5 PM
- Sunday
- 11 AM–5 PM
- Monday
- Closed