Pueblo, a Favorite Phoenix Plant Shop, had a Rough Week
For the record, I LIKE plants… but these guys actually KNOW about plants.
I always learn something at Pueblo, whether it’s from the staff or the owner’s Instagram page.
This store brings me such joy, so I hated to see the damage caused there this week by burglars.
Someone(s) broke in after closing time Monday night, destroying the beautiful pressed-tin doors at the main entrance on Grand Avenue. Everytime I go in, I think, “God, I love those doors.”
They took some electronics, and caused some damage (physical to the store, and mental to the staff who love the place), so I wanted to put the spotlight on this gem of a small business.
These photos from Pueblo’s Instagram page show the poor doors, and the suspect caught on a surveillance camera breaking in.
Pueblo opened in Phoenix in 2015, as a stand-alone store in the Garfield Neighborhood, adjacent to Downtown Phoenix.
In 2020, the owners, Michael and Coby, moved Pueblo into a rehabbed building in the growing Grand Avenue business district on the opposite side of the downtown core.
It was fascinating to watch the progress of that massive undertaking, which partially took place during the pandemic. They spent two years rebuilding an old commercial space which hadn’t been fully occupied for 40 years.
They have a mature desert/cactus garden surrounding a patio out back, along with greenhouses and a gift shop.
The vibrant blue on the exterior garden walls has become a signature color, and popular on social media feeds. It perfectly compliments the greens in the gardens around it.
They have a unique coffee shop on site, called Caffio Espresso. It’s run by Fio (Anthony Fiorelli), who serves up espresso from a vintage Vespa in the yard.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see their dog, Bennie!
Not to throw shade at the big box stores and their plant selections (because I shop everywhere)… but if you’re looking for something unique… Pueblo is the place to find it. They focus on sustainability in their products and in their buildings. Plus, judging by how friendly the staff is, they’re treated really well, too :)
The same guys also opened a new store in Venice, CA, in 2020, just a few blocks from the beach, which I hope to visit one of these days.
The owner, Michael Lanier, grew up in the desert, and went to school for horticulture. His Instagram page is always full of gardening adventures, from both the stores and their historic Phoenix home.
Michael and Coby moved into one of the oldest homes in Phoenix. Few homes here reach the century mark, and theirs beats it by a few decades, I think.
They also have one of the most unique yards I’ve seen. Their “pool” is actually more of a natural pond in the front yard, and Michael documents the algae, bugs, and plants that surround it.
I’m not nearly daring enough to do something remotely close to that, but it’s impressive to see what true experts can do!
Pueblo will remain open while they do the necessary repairs. You’ll just have to use the door on the north side of the building, while they figure out how to repair or replace those beautiful old pressed-tin doors damaged by the thieves.
The damaged doors, posted on Pueblo’s Instagram page
If you are interested in my travel adventures, check out my travel blog Jared’s Detours.