Youngstown CityScape members, from left, Jack Moss, Andy Lane, Rochelle Landy and Kelli Way take a break during Saturday’s second annual Winter Greenery sale at CityScape at Briel’s, a former greenhouse in Youngstown.

YOUNGSTOWN — Christmas may be a month away, but several members of a longtime organization are looking ahead and thinking green on a few fronts.

“We’re raising funds to get it back to its former glory,” Rochelle Landy, Youngstown CityScape’s associate director, said.

She was referring to the former Briel’s greenhouse, which the organization seeks to reopen and restore with funds from events such as Saturday’s second annual Winter Greenery sale at CityScape at Briel’s, 23 S. Belle Vista Ave., on the West Side.

CityScape bought the building last year and has been working toward repairing and revitalizing it.

The sale continues 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Saturday at the site.

The longtime fixture opened in 1924 but closed in 2020 after 96 years of operations, so CityScape is trying to raise $740,000 for its urban greenhouse initiative. The effort also is one of several projects under the umbrella of the organization’s capital campaign, Landy noted.

Others include the Wick Park Improvement program, the StreetScape planting project in early June and the Downtown Strategic Investment Fund.

CityScape is a community-development organization dedicated to revitalizing the downtown corridor and surrounding gateways. Funds raised also go toward CityScape’s mission that consists of strengthening the city’s urban core and further connecting the area with the Youngstown State University campus and adjacent neighborhoods, with help from strategic public and private partnerships, Landy explained.

Items for sale Saturday at the holiday-themed gathering included 22-, 24- and 26-inch wreaths, door charms, pine and boxwood roping, large and small decorative bows, T-shirts, large door swags and holiday-themed notecards, as well as those that depict Youngstown.

Landy urged those interested in buying anything to preorder because merchandise is selling quickly. To place an order or make a donation to the organization, go to www.youngstowncityscape.org.

Items can be picked up Thursday or Saturday at CityScape at Briel’s, she noted.

Also on hand Saturday was Andy Lane, who tends to a variety of annuals before they’re planted to beautify downtown Youngstown and surrounding neighborhoods beginning in late spring.

“I like working during the summer outside,” said Lane, who began with CityScape in 2010 and is already thinking about the next downtown StreetScape project, set for June 3.

Plants under his care include cannas bulbs, colorful zinnias, elephant ears, sunflowers, geraniums, begonias and pansies, he said.

news@vindy.com