- April 30, 2024
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The demand for landscaping service means some potential clients of Grant's Gardens find themselves on a waitlist. But the longtime landscaper hopes to change that with its recent purchase of Cortez-based Stewart’s Landscape Management.
Grant's Gardens is based in Sarasota but serves many clients on Longboat Key, Lido Key and Anna Maria Island, in addition to those in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. Not only is the company taking over Stewart’s clients, but they are also taking on the employees.
“We are fortunate to have a lot of great clients and great word of mouth around the kinds of services that we do offer,” Grant’s Gardens partner Jeff Kelley said. “There’s a long waitlist of folks that want to become part of the Grant’s Gardens family, so with that additional bandwidth, we’ll be able to start to bring in some of those additional properties.”
Over the years, the landscaping company has grown and acquired other similar businesses, starting with the procurement of Young’s Landscaping.
“It’s more opportunity to connect with more customers, to expand our reach into the community and service more people in the region,” Kelley said. “Our goal is to add value to the community, work with great clients on properties that they own and that they want to maintain in the way that we do our business, which is an 'easy button' for creating beautiful spaces that people can enjoy. That’s what we are going to be able to do with the addition of those team members, his current client base and the places that he services within the region.”
Like many parts of life, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed elements of the landscaping business, too. Whether it was in the early stages of the pandemic where a walk outside was the only reprieve from reality or now when many people use the time outside as a break from their home office, outdoor spaces have received extra attention.
“So many people were home and had to work from home,” Kelley said. “A lot of folks didn’t return to the office; they’ve continued to work remotely. A lot of folks moved to Florida during that time as well, and that combination of influx of people, having to be home and continuing to work from home has led to a big focus on outdoor spaces. If you’re at home a lot, you don’t necessarily want to be cooped up inside.”
The overall point remains the same — clients want their outdoor spaces to be beautiful, welcoming and relaxing.
“If you look historically, at least in the last few decades, I don’t know if there’s been such a definitive thing that happened where it shifted perspectives on how you use your space,” he said.
Another change Kelley has noticed is that more people are staying in the area. Previously more of his clients were seasonal residents, but some former snowbirds have deciding to stick around through summer.
Stewart’s Landscape Management is a legacy about 44 years in the making, with clients throughout the area continuing to trust owner Jeb Stewart and his employees with their outdoor spaces whether residential or commercial.
For property owners and fellow landscaping business owners alike, Stewart has made a name for himself for his commitment to his clients and his craft.
Stewart started his landscaping career at West Bay Point Moorings. After spending time getting to know the business, he decided he wanted to start his own company, which he did in 1980.
After over four decades in the business, he decided retirement was the right move and has been working with Kelley and the Grant’s Gardens team to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and clientele.
“Jeb’s been a staple in the community for 40 years,” Kelley said. “When he started talking about (retiring), we just started a conversation about whether or not there was a good fit there. The way he runs his business and the types of customers he’s worked with and properties that he services, the way he services, it is very much aligned.”
Kelley and fellow employees are committed to serving Stewart’s customers, new and old, in the same fashion they experienced under his care.
“I sold the business to Grant’s, so that we could merge and they can keep my legacy going,” Stewart said. “(Grant’s Gardens) has some of the same goals that I did with my company about quality work and creating inviting spaces for people.”
Stewart’s service area is very similar to Grant’s with much of west of U.S. 41 in his service area including Anna Maria Island to the middle of Siesta Key.
“He really cares deeply about those customers,” Kelley said. “He’s run his business for a long time, so the legacy there is really important to him. The way that we handle our business, which is really all-inclusive maintenance services, is comparable. Our standards, our approach are very aligned.”
Before the transition of his clients and employees to Grant’s, Stewart notified customers at the end of April of the change.
“I’ve got a bunch of congratulations, tons and tons,” Stewart said. “They get it. They’re sad, but they’re happy for me.”
Stewart still has a few more months ahead of him before he lets go of the reins for good. Come August, he plans to move to Costa Rica. Until then, he will continue with client consultations.
