Fairfield Business Owner Using Pandemic Success To Give Back

FAIRFIELD, CT — Since the coronavirus pandemic struck last year, business has been remarkably good for at least one local landscaper.

Longtime Fairfield resident Barrett Bollinger, owner of Bollinger Landscaping, wants to share some of his bounty with others who may need it.

“I’ve probably picked up 40 new clients this year alone,” Bollinger said.

That’s why, going forward, he is giving away 5 percent of each invoice billed to his landscaping business and earmarking it for the charity of his clients’ choosing.

“We appreciate the support of residents and of our clients, and wanted to thank them (with) what we believe to be a win-win opportunity,” said Bollinger’s mother, Kendra Wingate, who serves as the company's principal landscape designer.

Wingate shared how during her 30 years living in Fairfield, she has had the chance to work with many different local nonprofits as a volunteer. Further, she said, she has watched how the pandemic has had a particularly adverse effect on their fundraising and, consequently, their ability to meet operational needs.

“I wanted to help in some way, (so) I talked with my son … and he was immediately on board,” she said.

Upon the completion of each job, clients can have 5 percent of the payment given to the local charity of their choice.

“It’s just a nice way to give back,” said Bollinger, who grew up in Fairfield and has operated his landscaping business in town for more than 12 years.

“I’m trying to help this community as much as possible,” he said.

While he started out doing general lawn maintenance, his company has expanded over the years to handle landscape architectural design, implementation of design and planning, and maintenance care for a wide range of clients.

“My planting has tripled,” he said, with more business on the way, including the installation of fountains, patios, fire pits, long-term planting projects and more.

Since the pandemic forced more people to work from — and spend additional time at — home, interest and care in outdoor home environments has increased a great deal.

Bollinger is surprised that more clients — who are already paying for his services — aren’t taking advantage of the offer. All they need to do is specify which local charity they want to see receive the funds, and he handles the rest.

“I want more people to find out about it,” Bollinger said, “especially the people who have lived here awhile.”