Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Tiszai
Hi Bill, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The business began in 1977 when the Walkers established a wholesale growing operation near the banks of Cold Creek, a tributary of the Savannah River. Over time, the business evolved into a retail garden center offering a full suite of landscape services. In 2020, Cold Creek Nurseries was acquired by Bill and Jen Tiszai.
The company is well-positioned to support the growing trend of outdoor spaces becoming extensions of living areas, as well as the increasing demand for nurturing living things. The Tiszais have focused on investing in technology and resources to enable their teams to more efficiently and effectively deliver exceptional customer experiences while navigating the inflationary pressures of recent years.
In 2024, Cold Creek Nurseries was honored as the Best Small Business of the Year by the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, primarily due to its strong culture and commitment to employee satisfaction. The company was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Independent Garden Centers in the United States and Canada. In 2025, Cold Creek Nurseries won several local accolades, including Aiken’s Best Landscape Design, Best Greenhouse, and Favorite Produce. We believe that by taking care of our employees, they are better equipped to take care of our customers.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our challenges are not unique to us or our industry. Developing people for the next generation of leaders is our top responsibility and challenge every day.
We’ve been impressed with Cold Creek Nurseries, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The mission of Cold Creek Nurseries is to help create beautiful spaces that invite peace, refuge and connection.. We offer one of the finest selections of plants in the area, with hundreds of varieties available in our Greenhouse. From garden starts, citrus and fruit trees, carnivorous plants, succulents, and cacti to an incredible assortment of indoor plants, annuals, and perennials, there’s something for every gardener. We also provide seasonal flowers, such as lilies for Easter and poinsettias for Christmas, and can create custom centerpieces or floral arrangements for special events. Our plant repotting services and expert diagnostics for plant issues allow customers to bring in plants or leaves for personalized guidance. Additionally, we carry a wide range of fertilizers and supplements to help ensure plants thrive.
Our Tree and Shrub Lot features an expansive selection of trees and shrubs, including favorites like Camellias, Azaleas, Gardenias, and Roses, offering year-round color for your garden. We also stock a variety of edible plants that are well-suited for our region.
Each season, we host 6-10 unique workshops that allow customers to learn more about plants, create stunning arrangements, and make lasting memories. For container gardening, we offer services tailored to both residential and business clients. Whether at your location or in our nursery, we create stunning container gardens for sun or shade, customized to each season. Event details can be found at coldcreek.net/events-aiken.
Our Home and Garden Store offers an extensive selection of gifts and décor to enhance your indoor and outdoor spaces. From an expansive birding section with Cole’s Wild Bird Seed and live meal worms to exquisite pottery ranging from 2 inches to 5 feet in height, we have it all. Customers will also find wind chimes, rain chains, large outdoor fountains, and elegant indoor table fountains. During the Christmas season, the store transforms into a winter wonderland with realistic artificial trees, handmade wreaths, stunning ornaments, and custom bows crafted to your specifications.
The Market at Cold Creek is a true gem, offering the freshest local produce, grass-fed beef, locally sourced pork, and high-quality products from local companies such as raw goat’s milk, Charleston Gold rice, and pies. Our frozen section includes locally made pizzas, vegetables, plant-based meat, and more. We also offer a grab-and-go section with fresh salads, soups, fruit parfaits, and cheese and meat plates prepared daily. Seasonal festivals, like our beloved Peach Festival, celebrate the region’s bounty and draw thousands of attendees to enjoy fresh peaches and other local delights.
Our Landscape team brings dreams to life with in-house designers who visit properties, listen to visions, and create stunning designs. From hardscapes and aquascapes to irrigation, lighting, and drainage, we handle every aspect of landscape design and installation, ensuring a seamless process with a single point of contact for ease and convenience.
Our Maintenance team takes the hassle out of landscape care, offering services such as routine lawn care, pest and disease control, aeration, seasonal plantings, mosquito control, and special cleanup projects. We proudly serve residential properties, neighborhoods, and businesses, providing high-quality, comprehensive care tailored to each client’s needs.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
What makes us special are our values: We always have a can-do attitude, especially when the way forward is not clear. We look out for each other. We step up to help when we see one of our own in need. We help our customers succeed. We own our outcomes. No excuses. We live this values every day, so our people are the most special part of the business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coldcreek.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coldcreeknurseries_csra/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coldcreeknurseries
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/coldcreeknurseries
