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| (clockwise from top left) Gardens’ new storefront in West Village; Owner Bill Bauer; tabletop and food items mix among the greenery. photography by Elizabeth Lavin |
Calling this place a garden store wouldn’t be fair. Sure, Gardens has all the essentials for backyard gardeners (Tahoe professional gloves, an impressive seed selection, and garden saws), and must-haves for urban green thumbs (bright paisley gloves, rocks and moss, and stylish pots). But the shop also peddles goods for the hands-off floral admirer, such as assorted potted succulents, orchids, and amaryllises. Beyond the foliage is an assortment of treats bound to befuddle categorization. Like any good garden, the common element here appears to be variety. Everything from Rick’s Picks canned pickles to jade trays make an appearance. “You can’t just stop in,” buyer Emily McBride says. “It takes about a half-hour to take it all in.” There are nods to the store’s Austin roots, seen in recycled tire containers and rolled newspaper placemats, but many finds are international, such as Mariage Frères tea from France, wood and cowhide chairs from the Yucatán, Rain bath salts from South Africa, and Henry Dean glass from Belgium. Although the store is freshly planted, a look at the Austin store’s 26-year history hints that Gardens will soon be a Dallas establishment. Gardens. 3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 310. 214-528-7770. www.gardens-dallas.com.
