As descendants of two prominent local pioneering families, the proprietors of the Prickly Pear Garden Centre — Patti Maskall and Brian Gilmore — were born with that same entrepreneurial spirit. The two transformed a heritage building slated for demolition into Steveston village’s nursery/garden centre, selling everything from garden supplies to plants and flowers of all kinds, to unique home décor items.
There’s something really nice about heading to your local neighbourhood garden centre. One often runs into friends here and it’s also where staff know the preferences of many the long-time clientele by heart.But it’s not just locals who frequent the Prickly Pear. “Although we really are a part of this great community and many clients are locals, we have people come in from all over the Lower Mainland as well,” says Brian.Richmond-raised actor and comedian, Ryan Stiles, came in to buy his mother a planter when he was out visiting. The centre was also the perfect backdrop for the modern day fairy tale television series Once Upon a Time.“For two days, Prickly Pear became Belle’s Dad Garden Centre in an episode called Game of Thorns,” says Brian.
