(Photo courtesy of Galveston Gardens)
Galveston Gardens was founded in 1971 by Richard and Giovanna, an Italian husband and wife who came to the U.S. in 1968. What started as a small, neighborhood nursery has become a destination for Bendites and more who look for the opening of the garden’s gates in spring as the start of the season. The gardens are known for curating rare species of plants, as well as their hanging baskets and planters, all curated by hand and filled with unique style.
“My parents wanted to open a business that would brighten the community, and bring people together,” said the son of the founders, Dino. “They decided to lean on their passion for gardening and growing their own food, and opened the gates of Galveston Gardens, to enrich people’s lives and inspire collaboration between neighbors.”
Over the years, Dino and his family have learned some valuable lessons when it comes to running a successful family business in Bend. First, building relationships with customers is a must. Across multiple generations, Galveston Gardens has garnered thousands of happy customers who come back year after year, and trust the business with their gardening needs.
Another lesson was learned over time, as Bend grew and evolved. “We had to learn and understand that everything fluctuates, like being on a boat, and reacting to the wind,” said Dino. “You have to be ready and make quick decisions, pay attention to the market and stay on top of the pulse. What customers need and want changes very rapidly, so it is essential to be able to adapt quickly to meet new demands.”
Success doesn’t come without challenge, and the main challenge facing Galveston Gardens can resonate with business owners of nearly every industry.
“A big challenge has been the labor shortage,” said Dino. “It’s difficult to deal with no matter where you are. We remember back when the nursery was founded, Richard and the owner of the only other nursery in town agreed to focus on different products/markets. They focused on landscaping, while we focused on personal gardens, flowers, fruits and veggies.”
According to Dino, a major factor that sets Galveston Gardens apart is their passion for what they do, and who they do it with. “It’s more than just flowers, it’s much bigger than that,” he said. “We have things that will inspire you to be your best, try new ideas and take some risks. We want to ensure that people can connect with each other and the earth. It’s physically important, it’s emotionally important, and it’s therapeutic.”
In the coming years, Dino says that there are many ways Galveston Gardens will be growing. “Our plan is to continue our commitment to being good stewards to the land and our community. As we get into the modern world, I see us taking the gardens to the next level, exploring more community-based events, possibly looking into reaching customers in neighborhoods with a delivery service for when they can’t get to us, and continuing to expand overall. We want to start to create an atmosphere for our customers that connects them into the community, and more.”
In addition, Dino spoke about the possibility of hosting community classes and events like painting classes, yoga in nature, photography tours and more.
“Physically, we have enough property to continue expanding for years to come,” said Dino. “We’re looking at bringing in new alternative ways to involve the community. We’ve been here for nearly 50 years, and we have plans for 50 more.”
