82 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM working with cut flowers, decided to start offering flower arrangements. She created a space inside for florist services and indoor plants, while Juan focused on the outdoor nursery business. When a retail space adjacent to the nursery became available, they expanded into several rooms that became the gift shop. “We have three businesses in one: the garden, the flower shop and the gifts,” says Juan. The evolution of the gift shop in 2006 was clearly the brainchild of Mercedes. She invited two longtime customers, Mary Adams and Patty Brady, both locally known interior designers and artists, to join the To source the shop’s unique items, Patty says the four of them travel to Atlanta every January to attend a huge gift convention. “We split up, shop around and meet at the end of the day for a cocktail,” she laughs. Although there are thousands of objects to see, she said that by now, the group has figured out where to go and what to avoid. She and Mary have a good sense of what will sell in Ladera and say that the trend now skews toward contemporary items. Even with the advantage of being a one-stop shop for plants, flowers and gifts, the Navarros say that it’s not easy to own a family business. They have a small staff and it really bothers them if their customers have to wait in lines. A bad Yelp review can totally ruin Juan’s day. “We business and fill the new space with glassware, candles, soaps and art pieces. “They do all the interior displays,” explains Juan. “They do a beautiful job.” Everything from French soaps, decorative vases, specialty houseware items, jewelry and perfumes are carefully curated and displayed in a manner befitting a high-end boutique. Inventory changes frequently and Mary and Patty refresh the displays every Monday when the nursery is closed. Mary and Patty get a little emotional when talking about why they joined the Navarros. “We were friends and customers of Juan and Mercedes before we started here and we both admired them so much,” says Mary. “It has been a match made in heaven.” {home & design}
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