Garden centre blooms into a community hub for Prince Rupert
Since acquiring the former Azalea Gardens in 2013, Yaga Café Garden Co., has been busy revitalizing Seal Cove under the charge of the Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Economic Development Corporation (GNEDC).
Between 2013 – 2022, the entire half acre site has been progressively redeveloped, including a new store building, a patio cafe, two new greenhouses, and a state-of-the-art hydroponics greenhouse.
The transformation culminated in 2022 with a significant re-brand to Yaga Cafe Garden Co., coinciding with the opening of an on-site café serving fresh sandwiches, salads, utilizing produce grown directly in their hydroponics facility.
“The most rewarding service by far is any item containing greens that are sold in the café,” says Cole Marogna, Economic Development Officer at Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Society
“We directly control every stage of the product from seed to plate .”
Beyond providing fresh, locally sourced food, Yaga plays a crucial role in the Prince Rupert community. The GNEDC’s vision involves a suite of businesses working synergistically to enhance the lives of Nisga’a members and the broader Prince Rupert/Port Edward area.
“As a community-owned business, we aren’t chasing profits. We focus on being a people-first business, which includes forging strong relationships with our customers and employees, respecting the environment and delivering the best customer service possible,” Marogna says.
Yaga actively contributes to the community through donations of fresh greens and by fostering a nurturing environment for local residents and Nisga’a members.
As Yaga prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary on May 1, the community can look forward to a day filled with special offers, including free coffee and discounts.
For more information, visit yaga.co and follow them on Facebook to stay updated!
Between 2013 and 2022, the half-acre Yaga site has been redeveloped, including a new store building, patio cafe, two new greenhouses and a state-of-the-art hydroponics greenhouse. Photo courtesy of Yaga Café Garden Co.