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. During her stay at the pop-up shop, Sydney was more than happy to help anyone looking to add to their plant family, purchase locally sourced vegetables, or simply receive some growing advice from someone with a green thumb.

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. Local patrons quickly took a liking to 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 — and now, thanks to the pop-up shop, she’s had her first taste of operating her own brick-and-mortar space.

From May to August 2026, Sydney managed the pop-up shop in a joint effort alongside her retired mother Robin. When Sydney was in, she was able to help with plant services such as repotting and gave advice on watering, sunlight, and more. When Sydney was away, Robin held down the fort to ensure that Vital Vines could keep its schedule as consistent and accommodating as possible. To see the latest updates on Sydney’s journey with Vital Vines, drop a follow on Facebook or 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.