Who knew that this forward-thinking garden center was only 15 minutes or so from my house? Make no mistake, Western New York is relatively wealthy in excellent independent garden centers and seasonally open greenhouses. I never need to visit the local big boxes. But Serene Gardens had not really been on my radar until I heard that the combo restaurant/garden center was opening another restaurant within the city of Buffalo.
Their main operation is in the town of Grand Island, about 10 miles north of Buffalo. It is a Japanese-themed garden center/landscaping company and restaurant. The owner, Josh Smith, has a PhD in sociology from Osaka University and also studied Japanese gardening during his twelve years in the country, apprenticing at Furukawa Teijuen in Kansai and maintaining the Taimadera Temple in Nara. Smith still apprentices in Japan periodically. His wife Satomi is the chef of the operation, having grown up in a family-run restaurant in Fukui. Shes also a certified Ikebana instructor. Joshs brother, Matt, is the garden manager and landscape designer and was recently the cover boy for Green Profit (Young Retailer of the Year).
Serene Gardens may be physically near me, but my gardening aesthetic is light years away from Japanese principles; Im messy, I dont prune anything unless absolutely forced to, and although I get the concept of serenity, I dont actively seek it. But stillwow! These people are impressive; theyve created an interesting niche business that must be very attractive to a lot of people around here. The concept of the Japanese garden is one that appeals across the board, including those who may not care that much about gardening per se. And theyve definitely brought the concept of the garden center caf to a new level. I just hope their branching out to Buffalo does not move the business so much into food that the garden part drops away. Though given their backgrounds, I dont see that happening.
Just one thingSerene Gardens, your website, though better than anyone elses around here (which says nothing), could still be improved. Its slow and there needs to be a much better photo gallery of your local landscaping jobs. Id like to see some garden photos that are as enticing as the cocktails.
Via: Serenity now
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