Four of the six "New England" style cottages have been completed

 

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas - You would not necessarily associate the Garden of the Groves with shopping, however, the quaint pastel-colored Abaco style cottages filled with local arts and crafts are fast becoming a favourite on the Garden tour with cruise ship passengers, visitors and residents.

 

The idea for this type of shop design came from Ed Gates of Garden of the Groves who imagined that patrons to the Garden would enjoy a step back in time by seeing the typical New Plymouth or Hopetown home design which reminded him of his childhood days in Abaco. His vision also included artisans that would be producing their items on the store's shady patio where shoppers would be able to watch them as well as engage in conversation and learn about local crafts 

Ed Gates - the man with a vision for an authentic Bahamian experience

The first cottage was started in December of 2008 and last week four buildings had been completed. Credit must be given to Carpenter Frank Ewing, who also grew up in Abaco, and has built each building completely by himself. The design plan was drafted by Sandy Braggs who has been graciously donating her time and talent to the Garden. The complex was recently visited by Member of Parliament, Mr. Edison Key, the Executive Chairman of BAIC (Bahamas Agriculture and Industrial Corporation). Mr. Key was accompanied by Mr. Donnalee Bowe, A.G.M. Handicraft and Marketing, and his deputy chairman, Mr. Winston Pinnock. They loved the shop design, architecture and the mostly authentic Bahamian merchandise. Mr. Key expressed that he is considering to duplicate the Garden of the Groves shop concept in Marsh Harbour.

Visit to the Arts and Crafts Village at the Garden by MP Edison Key, Ms. Bowe and Mr. Winston Pinnock

It was not difficult to find local artisans and vendors for such a lovely complex of shops, however, it was rather challenging to select from the numerous applicants hat were eager to join the Garden of the Groves. At times Rudy Sawyer of BAIC who trains local artisans in producing authentic products, assisted in selecting the right persons to represent their craft at the Garden shops.

 

Gina Marche was the first to answer the call and she has been a truly professional and artistic asset to the team at the "village" - as the tour guides like to call the complex. Gina produces exquisitely polished coconut jewelry which she decorates on site with flowers that flow from her paint brush. She is considered one of the foremost artisans in coconut craft in the Bahamas.

Gina Marche's coconut jewelry and other items from coconut tastefully displayed

Gina shares her shop space with Calib Outten who has made a name for himself in producing the most attractive seashell decorated candles in the Bahamas. He recently added Christmas ornaments produced from highly polished, engraved conch shells that have become very popular this time of the year. Calib can hardly produce enough of these lovely items as he also supplies Atlantis on Paradise Island.

A favourite of the season are Calib Outten's Christmas ornaments from conch shells

Monique Pinder definitely is in charge of the "Labyrinth, Library and Logowear" cottage! Monique was born in the Bahamas but grew up in Switzerland. She speaks fluent German and sometimes shocks a German or Swiss visitor when she conducts a sales pitch in authentic "Switzerdeutsch". Her product knowledge is vast and, when asked, she may give a dissertation on the production of the Garden's own Rosemary Soap or Lotion, the contents of a book on Seashore Plants, the meaning of patterns on Labyrinth jewelry, the benefits of Neem Tea or the reason why everybody should wear the Garden's LLBean logoshirts!

Monique Pinder in charge of "Labyrinth, Library and Logowear". This shop has an extensive selection of Labyrinth items, books from the Bahamas and the Garden's Logowear

In the pastel blue cottage Chrisanne Aston has established a branch of Fragrance of the Bahamas. This company was founded in 1969 and Chrisanne's parents, Patty and Peter, operated it in a one hundred year old one room school house in the settlement of Hepburn Town in the early years. Fragrances still sells one of its original products, "Island Promises". The name for this fragrance had been inspired by Neil Simon's Broadway play "Promises, Promises"! There are many new fragrances in the Garden shop now but we were especially touched when Chrisanne created a "Garden of the Groves Fragrance", complete with the Garden's logo of hummingbird and hibiscus on glass bottle and carton. It has become a favourite also and there are now six different "Garden" fragrances. There is also a mixology area at the garden shop where customers are able to create their own fragrance.

Fragrance of the Bahamas featuring the popular 6 fragrances created exclusively for the Garden

Next to Fragrances is "Pixels" where talented young artist Omar Smith exhibits his outstanding pieces of photography of nature, persons and objects. His composition of colors is amazing and his ability to share his impressions and observations fascinates customers that enter his unique gallery. Omar produces prints of his photographic works so that visitors may take a memory home with them - securely rolled up and protected in a cardboard tube! Omar seems to be the happiest person in the "village" he claims that he has never been more inspired than here in the Garden.

Omar Smith presents his unique artworks at Pixels

It is not always easy to find straw works exclusively made in the Bahamas, however, at the Garden's "Native Straw Mart" Mr. and Mrs. Cornish produce their wares from local pond top as well as coconut palm. Customers are able to watch Mr. Cornish on his sewing machine where he produces his classic designs of handbags, waste baskets and computer cases. Mrs. Cornish can be observed decorating traditional straw items and dolls with colorful raffia.

The Cornishes share their cottage with Mrs. Trina Johnson who cannot wait to share her story with her customers. She is a third generation straw vendor and creates the most intricate designs of fully clothed doll applications on  her native straw bags. She also combines Androsia and other fabrics with straw which seem to be the designs of the future. Trina also produces very attractive giant Bahamian dolls.

Authentic Bahamian straw works are produced on site by Trina Johnson and Wendel Cornish

Last but not least, Mr. Terrence McKenzie, has taken up residence in his "open-air" workshop at the Garden in the "Village Square". Terrence likes it that way. He sits under a huge umbrella on a garden bench and works away all day on wooden sculptures. He hardly notices customers watching him transform a Pigeon Plum branch into a walking stick adorned with lizards, birds or turtles from the Garden. Wood chips are flying into the air while he may create a rooster or a giant fish from Tamarind or Mahogany wood and he is certainly the most photographed artisan of all!

Terrence McKenzie transforms native woods into works of art

Colours of the Bahamas presents a kaleidoscope of wood crafts in form of every kind of bird, fish and mammal as well as flower that occur in the Bahamas. Ivan and Pat Lowe have been successful merchants to the tourist market for many years in such location as the former Princess Tower, International Bazaar and Freeport Harbour. We were happy to be able to attract their artistic and colorful shop to the Garden. The whimsical mobiles and musical wind chimes are a favourite with visitors as well as residents.

So if you haven't been shopping at the Garden of the Groves, come down and see our quaint "village" and meet our artisans and vendors!