Rooted in purpose: Vital Vines continues to grow in the pop-up shop

Sydney Vecchio has done a little bit of everything, from working in food service and in-home health care to making ceramics and roasting coffee beans. She’s no stranger to getting her hands dirty (literally), creating things through hard work, and utilizing her passion for helping others — skills that have all come in handy since starting Vital Vines in 2025. Whether you’re adding to your plant family, looking for locally sourced vegetables, or just needing some growing advice from someone with a green thumb, Sydney will be more than happy to help this summer at the pop-up shop in Union Bank Place.

A born-and-raised Lincolnite and Lincoln Southwest alum, Sydney has always had an affinity for working with her hands. After all, it runs in the family — her brother Brock currently works in landscaping, and her dad Bob started his own business as a landscape designer. When she lost her father to ALS in 2015, Sydney knew she wanted to honor his legacy in her own work. “With him not here, it’s an inspiration to keep it going,” she says.

Carrying her father’s entrepreneurial spirit, Sydney started Vital Vines in 2025, selling floral arrangements, houseplants, and vegetables. So far, her biggest hit has easily been her homegrown loofahs, which offer a natural and sustainable alternative to synthetic sponges. She started by selling at hub markets, steadily growing a local following — now, she’ll be getting her first taste of operating her own brick-and-mortar space at the pop-up shop.

Sydney’s stay in the pop-up shop will last from Monday, May 4, to Friday, August 28. She’ll hit the ground running with plenty of Mother’s Day gift items for sale, then transition into her summer selections. Sydney envisions her time in the pop-up shop as a joint effort between herself and her retired mother Robin. Monday through Friday, Vital Vines will be available with more than just plants to take home — they’ll also be providing services and knowledge, including repotting, water/sunlight advice, elite plant maintenance and care, and more. Sydney will also have several houseplant options available on site. Sydney’s availability will fluctuate, but she and Robin plan on the following hours: 

Monday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

To stay up-to-date with current products and availability, follow Vital Vines on Facebook and Instagram.

The pop-up shop at Union Bank Place in downtown Lincoln gives business owners the opportunity to test out a brick-and-mortar location with built-in foot traffic. Offered to UBT business accountholders, the space is rent-free to the business owner for a four-month term. Vital Vines is the ninth occupant. Previous businesses have been Susa’s Sweets and Balloons, Studio Trouvaille, Moose’s Mad Fresh, Truth Papers, My Big Fat Greek Bakery, Rising Rolls Bakery, KT Designs, and ET’s Sweets.