The West Seattle Nursery celebrated its 40th Anniversary on Nov. 11, 2023.
Mark Smith began selling Christmas trees during college and spent several years managing seasonal nurseries in other parts of the city. The first version of West Seattle Nursery and Garden Center opened in 1983. Smith and Irene Stewart, the business co-founders, set up shop first on SW Barton Street, across from Westwood Village. They moved around West Seattle until 1987, when they opened year-round on land that is now Morgan Junction Park. "Every time I set it up the property owner would sell it because it looked so good," said Smith, laughing.
In 1990, they moved to the current location at 5275 California Ave SW California Ave. The building had been a Herfy's, then an Arby's, then a MealMakers, then a car parts business. They brought it back to life with plants, and it has remained the primary choice for gardeners (and plant lovers) in West Seattle ever since. In 1992, they received a Mayor's Small Business Award presented by then Mayor Norm Rice in recognition of their creativity and community reinvestment.
Smith became sole proprietor in 1997. Throughout the years, the business has maintained a commitment to the community, with the nursery offering classes, demonstrations, and open houses. Outside of West Seattle, the nursery is known for its award-winning display gardens at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. Those awards were a factor in the business becoming a "destination" nursery for people around the region.
Read more at westsideseattle.com