Family garden shop opens at River Market

The list of tenants opening in River Market continues to grow with the latest business being all about growing.

KJM Urban Gardens is an extension of a thriving family-owned business, KJM Country Gardens, that first set up shop four years ago amongst the equestrian establishments in the Southlands area of Vancouver.

River Market developer Mark Shieh approached the McDonalds—Kenny, Jordan and Melanie and their mother Lori Wotherspoon—about coming to the Quay.

"They weren't actually looking to open up a second location," said KJM Urban Gardens manager Ariella Taylor. "They had enough on their plate with their first one.

"They checked it out but when they saw the space and talked with the developer they fell in love with it all. With the new market and the location it seemed like it was so special and it would be worthwhile because the neighbourhood is developing."

However, they weren't about to do it unless they could get Taylor to run it. She had gone to horticulture school at Capilano College with Jordan before becoming co-manager of the Art Knapp's downtown Vancouver location that serves the condominium communities of Yaletown and the West End.

"I took the job because of the McDonald's family and because we share the same ideas about life such as sustainability and environmentalism," said Taylor.

Her knowledge at what worked in downtown Vancouver would seem to be a perfect fit for the burgeoning Downtown New Westminster district with its highrises and the Quay's residential complexes.

"It translates very well," said Taylor. "The product that we had down there is going to be almost exactly the same."

KJM Urban Gardens will focus on little indoor plants and bedding plants, and perennials and small shrubs that do well in containers. She said many new urban gardeners are interested in edibles such as salad greens or tomatoes.

"The tricky thing is to get new people to succeed into continuing," said Taylor. "Container gardening is more tricky than in the ground because you're more likely to over water than under water.

"I call it the fine art of watering. I love, probably in excess, describing that. I can talk about that too long. It's fun to get people to try things, and it can be pretty easy if you describe the basics."

Taylor says the shop's small size will allow her to do workshops so she can wax poetic about "the fine art of watering" and much more.

Since the deal wasn't finalized until the spring not being able to open until autumn couldn't be avoided.

"It gives us time to work out the kinks so we're good and ready for the spring," said Taylor.

KJM is at the west end of the market and will have its own outdoor entrance. Its opening leaves only Wild Rice restaurant, Tre Galli Gelato Caffe and Pamola Bakery and Deli left to open their doors and two downstairs spaces remaining to be filled at River Market.

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