Taking root: Garden store expanding in Edmonds

In the past few years, Edmonds lost three garden stores downtown: Garden Gate, Garden Gear and Gallery, and Bountiful Home and Nursery.

It’s not downtown, but Edmonds again has a home for plants and garden supplies. Northwest Garden & Stone opened late last year on 76th Avenue West near SR 104 and will soon be expanding its offerings.

Garden stores are competitive businesses, but general manager Matt Porter says the time is right for the store. He might know a thing or two – he was general manager for 18 years at Molbak’s, which closed after 67 years in Woodinville. He said he was devastated with the closure and didn’t plan to reenter the business right away.

But that changed after Northwest Garden & Stone owner Gary Muskett – who also owns Northwest Landscape Supply in Lynnwood -–offered him the general manager job. “Gary always wanted a garden store because the Lynnwood store is more landscape supply,” Gardner said.

Northwest Garden and Stone is located at the site of a former Arco gas station – you may have driven by it and noticed the long palm tree. There’s more: A rusted tractor once owned by Molbaks’ founder Egon Molbak is an on-site attraction.

While plants, decor, bulls, pots (handmade in Vietnam), and more are in front of the store now, the store plans to add more to the back of the property, significantly expanding its supply. Inside, there are a variety of indoor plants and plant-care supplies. It also stocks specialty items such as Bloody Mary mixes, sriracha aioli, olives, mustard, candles, and more.

Of course, you can find plants, trees, and garden supplies at various businesses in southwest Snohomish County. Porter knows this

“What sets us apart is the fresh quality of our inventory,” he said. “We have a size constraint, so we order items in a timely manner. If you see something blooming in the landscape, you'll probably see it here at that point. I'm also trying to find different products and different plants you might not see at Fred Meyer, Home Depot, or even Sky Nursery. I want to differentiate ourselves that way.”

He plans to introduce plants such as eucalyptus and other species that may not traditionally thrive in the Pacific Northwest but can now flourish due to warming temperatures.

Of course, customer service is vital for a small business. “Customer service is where we come from, along with high quality, a smile, and neatness.”

Northwest Garden & Stone is planning to host community events, including gardening talks led by experts. Later this spring, it will expand its inventory of pavers, flagstone, and different types of rocks.

“We’re still evolving,” Porter said. “We want to be a place where people come not just to shop, but to get inspired.”

Northwest Garden & Stone has its spring kickoff with annuals, herbs, and veggie starts April 5-6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store is at 24200 76th Ave. W, Edmonds. Info: nwgardenandstone.com, 425-712-5000.