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There’s new life blossoming in a gift shop that opened last month in Gaylordsville. A variety of indoor plants and arrangements, as well as gifts of all sorts are featured at Johnbela Gift Garden & Masonry Supplies located at 640 Kent Road (Route 7). In stock for the holiday season are Christmas trees, wreaths and other greens. “I love what I do,” said Eloisa Guaman, who co-owns the store with her husband, Juan. “This is what I want to be doing.”
The store is its own entity but operates under the umbrella of Johnbela Landscaping, which the couple has owned for 15 years. Guaman said she imagined the potential of the property at 640 Kent Road (Route 7) while driving by one day.
With 22 years in the gardening, having previously worked as a grower and gift shop manager at Hollandia Nurseries in Bethel, Guaman said she knew she wanted to incorporate her passions into the space.
One side of the shop features a wide variety of live houseplants, arrangements and products that help plants thrive.
Cactus, succulents, bonsai and orchids are in stock throughout the year, and seasonal plants will be offered.
Custom orders for wreaths, arrangements and plants are available, with foils, cellophane and ribbons available to dress products as needed.
“It comes naturally,” Guaman said of her designs. “I’m here to serve the customers and help with design.”
“I like to make everyone happy, to teach people how to create gardens, how to do arrangements,” Guaman said.
Bird seed bird houses and other outdoor goods for feathered friends are available.
A variety of gift items, such as candles, scarves, decorative pine cones and more grace the cozy shelves of the gift shop area.
The buildings original doors have been repurposed and serve as decorative walls on which lighted vines, bells and more hang.
For the holiday season, ornaments, Christmas lights, nativities, centerpieces, brass and pewter window candles, and seasonal decoration round out the shop’s offerings.
JOHNBELA INTRO
Gift shop opens its doors in Gaylordsville
A variety of indoor plants and arrangements, as well as gifts of all sorts are featured at Johnbela Gift Garden & Masonry Supplies located at 640 Kent Road (Route 7).
In stock for the holiday season are Christmas trees, wreaths and other greens.
“I love what I do,” said Eloisa Guaman, who co-owns the store with her husband, Juan. “This is what I want to be doing.”
The store is its own entity but operates under the umbrella of Johnbela Landscaping, which the couple has owned for 15 years.
Guaman said she imagined the potential of the property at 640 Kent Road (Route 7) while driving by one day.
With 22 years in the gardening, having previously worked as a grower and gift shop manager at Hollandia Nurseries in Bethel, Guaman said she knew she wanted to incorporate her passions into the space.
One side of the shop features a wide variety of live houseplants, arrangements and products that help plants thrive.
Cactus, succulents, bonsai and orchids are in stock throughout the year, and seasonal plants will be offered.
Custom orders for wreaths, arrangements and plants are available, with foils, cellophane and ribbons available to dress products as needed.
seasons change
As the seasons change, so will the items in the gift shop.
Guaman said the shop will sell items for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and the In the spring, garden products will be the focus outdoors, where customers will be available to purchase bluestone, gravel, mixed cement, sweet pea mulch, and annuals and perennials.
Eric Lliguicota, manager and nephew of the Guamans, said he has enjoyed working at the store.
“We’re proud of how it’s come together,” Lliguicota said.
Gaylordsville Postmaster Kevin Peatfield praised the Guamans for doing a “beautiful job fixing up” the building.
“It’s very nice to have a new business in town, and have new customers,” he said.
Jeannine Secor of Wingdale, N.Y., who works in Gaylordsville describes the gift shop as “fantastic.”
She visited the store several weeks ago and found “a great selection of products,” including a souvenir to give to a friend as a gift.
“They’re very helpful and friend,” said Secor, who has already referred her neighbors in New York to the shop.
She said she especially appreciates the fact the shop is family owned.
Johnbela Gift Garden & Masonry Supplies is located at 640 Kent Road (Route 7) in Gaylordsville. The store is open Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Christmas. After Christmas it will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 860-750-4799 or email Johnbelagiftgarden@gmail.com.
