Owners Juan and Mercedes Navarro have transformed their full-service nursery, formerly known as Ladera Garden Center, by expanding and renovating its space, adding display areas for eclectic home and garden accessories, and changing its name to Ladera Garden & Gifts.
They have taken over the former garden seating area of the Ridgeside Cafe in the Ladera shopping center on Alpine Road.
“We’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” says Mr. Navarro who has owned and operated the nursery for 24 years.
With a little help from their friends, Portola Valley neighbors Mary Adams and Patty Brady, the Navarros have given the center’s interior a smart new look.
The wall facing the parking lot has been extended, with display windows installed to create a more attractive side entrance. There are built-ins to display gift items, new lighting, countertops of black honed granite, and walls painted with fashionable accent colors of gold, eggplant and moss green.
The side entrance, facing the parking lot, now has a new gate and fencing that encloses the nursery stock of plants, shrubs and trees.
The nursery’s renovation is right in line with the $2 million revitalization of the Ladera shopping center, which first opened in 1957. Known at the Ladera Country Shopper, the center is located between La Cuesta and La Mesa drives off Alpine Road in Ladera.
The center’s new tenants include two restaurants — Mike’s Cafe and Amigos Grill — plus Allegro Framing and a UPS store.
Bianchini’s Market, across from the nursery, is also expanding and remodeling.
The outdoor area between Bianchini’s and Mike’s has been transformed into a plaza with two fountains and a translucent covered canopy.
New look
When the Navarros decided to renovate the garden center, they called on the expertise of Mary Adams and Patty Brady. Ms. Adams began working at the garden center in January. Ms. Brady is acting as a consultant.Ms. Adams is the buyer for the gift area. She has operated several “cottage businesses” from her home and has great taste. “I’ve had Mary wrap gifts for my clients for years,” Ms. Brady says. “She does a fabulous job.”
Ms. Brady is an interior designer and has her own firm, Patricia McCarthy Brady Interiors.
“We’ve both been coming here (to the nursery) for years,” says Ms. Brady. She also couldn’t say enough nice things about the Navarros. “Everybody loves them to death.”
Ms. Adams and Ms. Brady visited gift shows in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Atlanta to find interesting items. “There’s something for everybody here. It’s one-stop shopping,” says Mr. Navarro.
He’s right. There are mirrors, ceramic pieces, metal wall decorations, vases, picture frames, place mats, napkins, aprons, candles, greeting cards, gift wrapping, luscious fat heart-shaped soaps, and the Cucina line of organic sprays, soaps and lotion. Portola Valley resident Susan Furstman’s line of jewelry is on display and there are silver baubles imported from Paris.
A “kiddie corner” offers a selection of baby and children’s gifts, from books to stuffed animals. There’s also a “kitty” section for pampered pets.
Ms. Adams and Ms. Navarro are both accomplished gift wrappers. Their complimentary gift wrap is a smart chocolate-color box tied with beige organza ribbon imprinted with bees.
“A lot of birdhouses will be coming,” says Ms. Adams, as she wanders through the store. She also notes that customers will be able to order outdoor lighting.
Garden statuary and large potted trees stand in the outdoor garden. “It’s still a work in progress,” she says of the brick garden area.
Nursery is heart of business
Juan and Mercedes Navarro know the nursery business and they know their Portola Valley neighbors. They have worked side-by-side for 24 years. Their three children — Danny, 28, Adriana, 21, and Marco, 18 — have grown up in the business, helping out after school or during vacations. Marco still works at the nursery while studying horticulture at Foothill College.Danna Bortz Breen, a Portola Valley resident and landscape designer, is a new employee. She’s there to assist customers. “Maybe when things settle down,” she says, “it would be fun to offer some classes.”
When asked if native plants are gaining more use in local gardens, Ms. Breen says the nursery keeps a list of approved native plants that residents of Portola Valley Ranch are required to use. Many local homeowners come in looking for deer-proof plants.
Residents of The Sequoias, the retirement community in Portola Valley, bring in their containers to be planted with flowers and greenery for their patios.
Ladera Garden & Gifts offers a type of personal service you don’t find in “big box” stores. Employees have helped customers for years and are familiar with their gardens. They’re happy to plant containers, suggest what to grow where, and diagnose your ailing plants.
What’s more, they seem to be having a great time doing it. “We’re all from the community, lending a hand,” says Ms. Breen. “This is a happy place.”
Ladera Garden & Gifts is open daily at 380 Ladera Country Shopper, Alpine Road, Portola Valley. Phone 854-3850.
