A terrarium studio in downtown Dayton gives families, couples and groups a low-commitment way to work with plants without the usual setup headache. No hunting down a container, sourcing the right soil, guessing at what pairs well with what. Now and Zen DIY Studio, at 121 E. Third St. in the Fire Block District, handles the supplies and lets visitors handle the creative part.
How It Works
Walk-in hours run Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. During that window, the terrarium bar is open for drop-in creating. The bar is stocked with vessels, air plants, succulents, ferns, moss, shells, stones, crystals and soil — visitors pick what they want and build from there. A $10 maker fee covers the session; the cost of plants and materials is separate. Reservations are recommended for groups of four or more.
For something more structured, Now and Zen offers themed workshops on a rotating schedule. Recent offerings have included Date Night, Tropical Terrarium, Succulent in a Mug, Mighty Minis, Mix and Mingle and Living Wall Art — a workshop where participants build a framed piece using air plants and moss. Workshop pricing varies; the Date Night workshop is $65 per couple, with the registration fee applied as a gift card toward the cost of materials that evening. Check the schedule at shopnowandzen.com for current dates and availability.
Private events for parties of eight or more can be booked separately, including corporate team building. For groups of 20 or more, Now and Zen will also travel to the venue.
DIY Kits for Taking It Home
For families who’d rather create at home, Now and Zen sells DIY kits that include everything needed for a specific terrarium project. Current kit themes include Sapphire Sea, Sahara Dreams, Dinosaur Fun and Butterfly & Me. Add-ons are available, including individual air plants or an air plant grab bag. Kits can be picked up in store or shipped — according to the studio’s website, they ship across the country and to Canada. Care instructions are available on the site.
Plan Your Visit
Address: 121 E. Third St., Dayton, Ohio 45402
Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Walk-in maker fee: $10 (materials additional)
Parking: Metered street parking is free on Saturday and Sunday. A paid lot is available at the corner of East Third Street and St. Clair ($5).
More information: shopnowandzen.com
