With many residents speculating about the new home for the beloved downtown seed store after reports that their building had been sold to neighbouring JAG Hotel, the big news is finally out: The Seed Company by E.W. Gaze will be moving into the historic Templeton’s building just down the road on Harbour Drive.
“It’s the perfect fit for us” says owner Peter Byrne, great grandson of founder Ernest Walter Gaze. “We’ve been looking for a new location that has customer parking, street visibility, and rustic charm, and this spot has all three”. The landmark building, built in the late 1800’s, was the prior home of Templeton’s paint store, which closed its retail operation in February of 2017.
In terms of a timeline, the plan is for the new store to be open in late April or early May 2019, just in time for their busy season. “We’re going to invite everyone to a grand opening event, similar to the one that was held last time the store moved from Water street to where we are now, back around 1969” says Byrne. “We can’t wait to show everyone the new space, which is actually a lot larger and more open than where we are now”.
Photo from the store's previous move from 410 Water Street around the corner to 9 Buchanan in 1969
Until then, the store will still be open for business at 9 Buchanan Street, where they continue to expand and diversify their selection of vegetable and flower seeds, fresh flower arrangements, houseplants, workshops, and indoor growing supplies.
“We’re overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from new and long-time customers who are happy to see a local business like ours thrive in this challenging climate” says Byrne. “This move is going to be a positive step for us and we’re all very excited about the opportunities it will present”.
