Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophy Kohler.
Hi Sophy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My business story is based on passion… staying the course and taking some big risks! I met a boy on a ski trip and found myself lured out west, leaving my career and network. Originally from New York City, and having a career in finance, it took me a minute to gather my bearings and figure out what I could do in a small ski town in Utah.
When I moved to Utah thirteen years ago, I immediately fell in love with “the nursery”. I had worked throughout college as a florist at an English-style flower shop, and always kept a small garden — even if all I had was a window box. As a flower enthusiast, ‘the nursery” reminded me of spending time in my grandparents’ east coast garden growing up. I couldn’t stop fantasizing about one day owning it, and would visit whenever I needed some flower therapy.
At the time, it was just a dream. I figured that if I were to ever own a nursery, it would happen well in the future. But that changed one day when on a whim, I asked the past owners (of 35 years!) whether they’d ever consider parting with the property. I certainly wasn’t in a position to make an offer, but they were amenable to the idea. A year later, in June of 2016, I broached the topic again. This time, six months of negotiations later, and with tremendous help from my amazing husband, Grady, I purchased the nursery the day after Christmas 2016.
Now, 7 years later, we have expanded the historic nursery that specializes in high-altitude plants and gardening, into Park City Gardens – a 10-acre garden center that encompasses all the knowledge and variety for outdoor plants and gardening acquired over 40 years, along with a greenhouse filled with indoor houseplants, a full-service flower shop (the Flower Barn) a boutique that specializes in nature-inspired and hand-crafted gifts, and coffee shop (the Garden Cafe) located in a historic building that used to be the first general store in Park City! We also have acres of wild landscape (no merchandise) with a winding stream, for customers and community members to enjoy some time in nature and learn about native plants.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Convincing longtime customers that the spirit of the nursery would remain under new ownership was one of the biggest challenges I faced in the beginning. But over time, I earned the respect of our longtime clientele, who now understand that I have genuine intentions for the business, property & neighborhood.
In a small mountain town, any change in ownership is a little bit threatening… People didn’t trust that we were keeping it a nursery, for example, they thought I’d flip it into a hotel or something! But then they began to realize that we loved the nursery and wanted to keep it as great as it always has been. Since then, I’ve gotten nothing but positive input, which is the ultimate achievement to me — and have also earned trust around our expansion projects over the last few years.
As you know, we’re big fans of Park City Gardens. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Park City Gardens was established in 1983 and is the local expert on high-altitude gardening in northern Utah and the Rocky Mountain west. Our slogan, “We Know What Grows”, has been earned through years of gardening experience by our staff, as well as compiling research and input from local, longtime gardeners in the community. Meeting the challenges of the short planting season at high altitude and the multiple micro-climates that come with mountain living is our expertise. Our focus from inception has been finding and providing trees, shrubs and flowers that will perform well here.
“We love nothing more than showing customers that they can be successful gardeners at high altitude. Our average customer is dealing with a myriad of gardening challenges: Intense sun and wind exposure; alkaline soil with rocks and heavy clay; wetlands or dry ‘sage country’ — assisting them match the right plant to the right place is what sets us apart.”
Park City Gardens brings in plants from the best local and regional growers and we value our long-time relationships with vendors. We are selective in what we buy and our customers expect us to have the nicest product and most interesting variety.
Park City Gardens offers other unique products and special services to our customers in addition to our plants. Some of the most popular are our signature wildflower seed blends, including only varieties adapted to the area; our pre-potting program, where our designers plant your containers for you; and our holiday decorations with our in-house made wreaths and garlands and Christmas tree delivery service.
Located on 10 acres with streams and woodlands just a couple of miles down the road from Old Town Park City, we are committed to offering a garden sanctuary to our community as well as hosting private events. Our business resides in historical buildings, each with their own story, dating to our earliest pioneer settlers.
Step into our Garden Boutique, Greenhouse or Flower Barn…and be whisked into a tranquil, botanical haven. The boutique is full of beautiful plants and unique gifts & treasures; the Victorian house is a historical landmark, belonging to one of Park City’s earliest settlers. The Flower Barn is a full-service flower shop specializing in special events large and small, everyday floral, and offer regular workshops on flower arranging, wreath making, potting and more.
We love special events! We specialize in floral design, green design projects with plants, and tree & plant rentals for local weddings, birthdays, showers, memorials, dinner parties and more.
We carry indoor plants, including tropicals, cacti, succulents and air plants; pottery, vases and woven baskets; garden and farm-crafted bath and body products; gardening, design books and cookbooks; nature-inspired apparel, accessories and home goods; a wide array of gift cards and gift wrap; gifts for children; and some of the nursery’s favorite gardening supplies. We also carry locally & internationally made crafts and artwork, and seasonal and holiday items. . We specialize in the custom potting of any plant, tree and flower; indoor green design projects; and curating show-stopping statements of natural beauty for all occasions.
Our latest addition is the Garden Cafe. Founded to provide a beautiful sanctuary to gather, or to peacefully enjoy your favorite cafe drink among the flowers and plants of Park City Gardens. Offering small batch, organic coffee, specialty all-natural drinks, and delicious, locally made bites, the Garden Cafe is a family-owned coffee shop, located in a restored, historic site. Sip your favorite drink in the original General Store dating back to 1890, pull up a chair on one of our terraces, find a hidden garden nook, or stay awhile in our beautiful glass greenhouse.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We carry many local artists and makers across business divisions. Show us your goods! We also host community activities such as classes and workshops, garden parties, plein air painting events, holiday open house events such as our annual live manager — and during the entire month of October, we have a Haunted Forest open & free to the public!
Depending on what inspires you, there are lots of ways to partner or be involved with our business.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.parkcitygardens.com/
- Instagram: @parkcitygardens
- Facebook: @parkcitygardens
- TikTok: @parkcitygardens
Image Credits
Tom Lebsack
