STORE AROUND THE CORNER: Mariposa Nursery Garden Center and Gift Shoppe

Tucked behind Mariposa Nursery’s rows of flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables is one of the East County’s most unique shopping destinations.

The nursery’s Garden Center and Gift Shoppe features items from as close as local artists to as far away as Botswana and Poland — all designed to help East County green thumbs complete their visions of the perfect garden and home.

The store’s building is an old home on Mariposa’s property, and each room is stocked with everything from artwork and gifts to garden tools and fertilizers. The store also features work from several local artists as well as products from around the world.

“Our top item is probably the Talavera pottery,” says Retail Manager Chris Schroeder. “It’s colorful, and people like that.

“We also have baskets from Botswana and wrought iron from Poland,” she says. “We make an effort to buy stuff from around the world. We have a little bit of everything.”

Schroeder is always looking for new items to showcase in the store and adds that her favorite area is the Seaside Room. Stocked with ocean-inspired décor, she says it’s the most tranquil room in the shop.

After a particularly bitter winter, Schroeder says she’s seen business increase so far this summer.

“People are replacing damaged things,” she says. “After that miserable winter, people are wanting some new color. Also, we see people are making an effort to shop locally.”

Contact Michael Eng at [email protected].

BASICS
Mariposa Nursery Garden and Gift Shoppe
Address: 5020 Lorraine Road, Bradenton
Phone: 747-0499
Website: mariposanursery.com
Retail Manager: Chris Schroeder
Employees: Seven
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays
What makes the business unique: Mariposa stocks a variety of one-of-a-kind gifts and items for the garden and home.