Shelley’s Garden Center
When the matriarch of a 74 years-strong family legacy passes away, we are left with little to do, other than reminisce of how it all began here at Shelley's - our own little slice of Heaven on the corner of Main Street. With countless memories created, shared experiences with our family, to the loyal and esteemed friends and customers who have become our family and loving community, where do we even begin? There are so many moments that we all fondly recall. We have been proud, privileged, and blessed to be a part of holiday traditions throughout the seasons. It has brought us even more joy to watch the children that grew up coming into Shelley's with their parents, turn into the next generation of avid, green thumbed gardeners. Well, today we would like to share how it all began.
Our story started in 1949 on the corner of our grandmother's family's restaurant, Smitty's Stonewall Cafe. Our grandparents brought fresh produce in for the restaurant every morning, also giving our grandfather the opportunity to sell mentioned fresh picked goods from local farms directly to our Fourth Ward community. After being referred to as "The Stand" at Smitty's, in 1957 Marion and Norman saved enough to move a few blocks down the road, to the present location. Back then, what we now know of as the Richin plaza, across the street, was the beautiful pastures of Sliney stables of which horses roamed freely. Oh, how times have changed. Until 1972, produce was Marion and Norman's initial claim to business, but with the expansion of their storefront and the evolution of our cute little town of Branford, the store evolved with it. Our grandparents dove more into plants, shrubs, trees, annuals, perennials, fertilizers, soils and opened up as a full service garden center. Norman and Marion enjoyed offering free advice to cultivate a town full of green green thumbs! They truly wanted to make the world a little bit more beautiful with every plant that left our corner of Main Street. As young children, we can all recall driving with Grandpa Norman, who would fondly point out to us which of the trees and shrubs in town were planted by the original home owners, as many families found themselves first settling into Branford many decades prior. Today, we still smile as we drive by the azaleas and shrubs in your yards, because we know they came from Shelley's Garden Center.
Norman and Marion's business was named after their first born child, Michelle. Initially known as Shelly's, and later earning its' official business name, entertainingly enough, when their first sign was made, but spelled incorrectly - changing the name from Shelly's to Shelley's. From the very beginning, the garden center was run by Marion and Norman, and their children Shelly, Norman III, and the baby of the family, John. In the mid 70's John Chambers married Yvette Phenix Lennon, and the couple added new innovation, style, and beauty to the business, allowing Marion and Norman to lightly retire. As the family grew, their daughters Christiane and Taylor embraced the family business and love for agriculture. Naturally helping the family business carry on with their parents by their side. Family has been our main focus, as was always the case!
Helping the community with any and all fundraisers and charities that came our way, one of our most special memories over the years was helping out local feline organizations prior to their brick and mortar location. It was our greatest joy to adopt out cats and kittens for the local clubs. In just one season we adopted out 236 kittens and cats into loving homes. We always say that people who love plants and can nurture a seed, are often also compassionate animal lovers, so we felt a perfect fit for the job. After all, animals and plants seem to go together like cookies and milk. As famous as we are for having quality plants, we are also just as well known for having an amazing pack of well trained dogs for the last 74 years, because all family - even the four legged kind, come to work. There have been between 1 and 3 German Shepherds at our business at all times, making us very well known for our happy puppies, and town's best greeters.
It has always been our joy to support every local farm and their families of hard working farmers. It is the unity of the Agricultural Community that throughout all of these years have kept us all doing business together with good energy and appreciation.
However, after 74 years since opening Shelley's Garden Center, it is with a heavy heart and much consideration that the Chamber's family have decided to close. Although this is such a heart wrenching decision for us to make, many of our reasons are outside the realm of our control. We would like to thank you, our friends and loyal patrons. We appreciate you, and cherish all of the good years we have had alongside you. We will not forget our years of conversations, while watching your gardens and children grow. You will all be in our hearts especially over the holiday seasons, and we will not forget the families whose traditions we have helped honor from generation to generation. To say that we cherish our community is an understatement, and this does not make our decision any easier. Our last day of business will be Sunday, April 30th.
Thank you everyone for all of the good years we have had with you as our grandparents' legacy has grown on the corner of Main Street, in the sweetest little town of Branford. By the grace of God, we will continue to make happy memories!
Friends, please keep your eyes out for us. Our social media as we evolve into whatever the future may have in store for us. We sincerely hope to see you all around.
With love,
The Chambers Family
Our story started in 1949 on the corner of our grandmother's family's restaurant, Smitty's Stonewall Cafe. Our grandparents brought fresh produce in for the restaurant every morning, also giving our grandfather the opportunity to sell mentioned fresh picked goods from local farms directly to our Fourth Ward community. After being referred to as "The Stand" at Smitty's, in 1957 Marion and Norman saved enough to move a few blocks down the road, to the present location. Back then, what we now know of as the Richin plaza, across the street, was the beautiful pastures of Sliney stables of which horses roamed freely. Oh, how times have changed. Until 1972, produce was Marion and Norman's initial claim to business, but with the expansion of their storefront and the evolution of our cute little town of Branford, the store evolved with it. Our grandparents dove more into plants, shrubs, trees, annuals, perennials, fertilizers, soils and opened up as a full service garden center. Norman and Marion enjoyed offering free advice to cultivate a town full of green green thumbs! They truly wanted to make the world a little bit more beautiful with every plant that left our corner of Main Street. As young children, we can all recall driving with Grandpa Norman, who would fondly point out to us which of the trees and shrubs in town were planted by the original home owners, as many families found themselves first settling into Branford many decades prior. Today, we still smile as we drive by the azaleas and shrubs in your yards, because we know they came from Shelley's Garden Center.
Norman and Marion's business was named after their first born child, Michelle. Initially known as Shelly's, and later earning its' official business name, entertainingly enough, when their first sign was made, but spelled incorrectly - changing the name from Shelly's to Shelley's. From the very beginning, the garden center was run by Marion and Norman, and their children Shelly, Norman III, and the baby of the family, John. In the mid 70's John Chambers married Yvette Phenix Lennon, and the couple added new innovation, style, and beauty to the business, allowing Marion and Norman to lightly retire. As the family grew, their daughters Christiane and Taylor embraced the family business and love for agriculture. Naturally helping the family business carry on with their parents by their side. Family has been our main focus, as was always the case!
Helping the community with any and all fundraisers and charities that came our way, one of our most special memories over the years was helping out local feline organizations prior to their brick and mortar location. It was our greatest joy to adopt out cats and kittens for the local clubs. In just one season we adopted out 236 kittens and cats into loving homes. We always say that people who love plants and can nurture a seed, are often also compassionate animal lovers, so we felt a perfect fit for the job. After all, animals and plants seem to go together like cookies and milk. As famous as we are for having quality plants, we are also just as well known for having an amazing pack of well trained dogs for the last 74 years, because all family - even the four legged kind, come to work. There have been between 1 and 3 German Shepherds at our business at all times, making us very well known for our happy puppies, and town's best greeters.
It has always been our joy to support every local farm and their families of hard working farmers. It is the unity of the Agricultural Community that throughout all of these years have kept us all doing business together with good energy and appreciation.
However, after 74 years since opening Shelley's Garden Center, it is with a heavy heart and much consideration that the Chamber's family have decided to close. Although this is such a heart wrenching decision for us to make, many of our reasons are outside the realm of our control. We would like to thank you, our friends and loyal patrons. We appreciate you, and cherish all of the good years we have had alongside you. We will not forget our years of conversations, while watching your gardens and children grow. You will all be in our hearts especially over the holiday seasons, and we will not forget the families whose traditions we have helped honor from generation to generation. To say that we cherish our community is an understatement, and this does not make our decision any easier. Our last day of business will be Sunday, April 30th.
Thank you everyone for all of the good years we have had with you as our grandparents' legacy has grown on the corner of Main Street, in the sweetest little town of Branford. By the grace of God, we will continue to make happy memories!
Friends, please keep your eyes out for us. Our social media as we evolve into whatever the future may have in store for us. We sincerely hope to see you all around.
With love,
The Chambers Family
