I am happy to announce that The Antique Gardener
is celebrating 15 years in business!
The shop began in a small one room shed on Pig Turd Alley in Amador City and combined my love of antiques and gardening. I started the shop as a way to have my own business and raise a family. I never dreamed I would still love it so many years later.
It didn't take long for me to outgrow this location. Although I loved the garden and the creek nearby, it was time to move to more visible spot. In the fall of 2002 I moved to our second location, a large brick building on Main Street in Amador City.
The Antique Gardener continued to grow, as did our family. Jack was born in August 2003. He spent his days in the crib behind the counter, riding his pedal car around the shop or digging in the dirt in our small garden area out back.
In 2008 an amazing location became available at 80 Main Street in Sutter Creek. It was the perfect combination of a rambling historic home and a large outdoor space. We made the decision to move in October 2007 and spent the next six months renovating the new location.
The Antique Gardener moved to Sutter Creek in March, 2008.
Just a few months later our family grew again with the birth of Emma.
Emma in the Spring of 2009 in the garden
The gardens had been neglected for years.
Here is five year old Jack shortly after we moved in to 80 Main.
Jack in the same spot seven years later.
I'm not sure which has changed more - the yard or the kid!
Jack & Emma's original fruit stand.
Together they sold plums, blackberries, veggies, fresh flowers and lavender.
They still set up their stand for a few days every summer.
It is hard to believe that 15 years have passed. The shop is fuller and the garden has grown. There are great new products in the shop that change seasonally as well as products we have carried since the beginning. The kids have grown. They have gone from a playpen behind the counter to working behind the counter. So I hope you'll stop by soon to see all the changes and all the things that have stayed the same. Most importantly, thank you to all my customers. Without your support I would not be celebrating this milestone.
Much love and thanks, Aimee
