Shopping in Eggertsville

Since 1953, the team at Perry's Nurseries and Garden Center has helped customers refine the appearances and health of their homes' precious landscapes. The greenhouse introduces local gardeners to a vast inventory of ornamental trees, roses, annuals, and perennials, while the shop's interior houses all manner of yard accents and tools. Perry's gears up for holidays with decorative items such as Thanksgiving corncobs, Mother's Day hanging plants, and Christmas wreaths and poinsettias. Hand-tuned wind chimes sing in the breeze created by a neighbor's industrial-strength hair dryer, and birdbaths and statuaries strain to remain utterly still while humans ponder their adoption.

The brainchild of Dr. Joshua M. Smith, his wife Satomi Smith, and his brother Matthew Smith, Serene Gardens blends Japanese-influenced gardening, art, cuisine, and culture in a fluid space that hosts a store, café, and educational space. Influenced by Josh’s stint as an apprentice at Japanese nursery and design company Furukawa Teijuen, the garden center lures in customers with Eastern plants and design elements ready for duty in yards, homes, or cars made of old terrariums. The music of Josh’s shakuhachi bamboo flute—featured on four CDs sold in the shop—wafts through the shop, previewing the art form that clients can learn during in-store classes. Other lessons delve into flower arrangement, which Satomi has studied since she was a child, and the choreography of a Japanese tea ceremony, which demands fewer pinkie lifts and more high-fives than a British high tea.

After lessons or shopping excursions, guests can find peace between the lime-green walls of a café serving tea brewed from loose-leaf blends. At midday, Satomi also delves into family recipes to conjure lunches that incorporate dishes such as edamame, gyoza dumplings, and miso soup.

Before they wrapped their first sale in their distinctive gift-wrap, the owners of Andrews Jewelers spent decades gaining experience in the industry. Today, their staff trains with the Gemological Institute of America to become qualified to appraise, grade, and administer SATs to jewelry and diamonds. Armed with experience and exacting taste, they shop the jewelry market—sometimes journeying as far as Belgium or Israel—to acquire an inventory of fine jewelry with varied style and consistent quality.

Their extensive collection of engagement rings and wedding bands displays Celtic, vintage-inspired, and modern design. Their network of wholesale diamonds comes exclusively from conflict-free sources. A rainbow of gemstones color bracelets, earrings with citrine, ruby, and sapphire, and custom designs glitter in customers' favorite colors.