Home Food A Community Centered: Eucalyptus Gardens

A Community Centered: Eucalyptus Gardens

by Jenny
Venice-Magazine-Spring-2014-Issue-Eucalyptus-Gardens-Matias-Jurgeit-Argentina-Alchemist-Coffee-Shop-Tina-Ashchian-Benjamin-Rusnak-4

By Tina Ashchian
Photography by Benjamin Rusnak

Inside the gates of Eucalyptus Gardens is a community of its own. A linear row of petite shops with homey décor accentuated by outdoor seating lends a Key West vibe. Leafy ferns hang from canopies and rainbow-barked eucalyptus trees. White stone statues and pink orchids complement the iron patio furniture. A small business community center housing six shops and counting, Eucalyptus Gardens is a home away from home tucked on 3 acres inside Wilton Manors’ thriving commercial scene.

Home is exactly the atmosphere founders Deanna Allen and Judy Ozer want to create. When they arrived in late 2012, the place was far from welcoming with dilapidated buildings, peeling paint and uneven stone walkways. This former plant nursery was essentially a dump. But with their signature love and care, Allen and Ozer have made this spot what is it today.

The first stop at Eucalyptus Gardens is the Alchemist Coffee Shop, which serves hand-roasted and hand-grinded coffee. Matias Jurgeit is the resident “chemist” making fresh cups of Joe by using cycle glass. Catching him concoct a fresh brew is like watching a chemist in his laboratory, surrounded by his beakers. Customers routinely pair a coffee with one of the Alchemist’s open-faced avocado, Mediterranean or tuna sandwiches.

“Working together is what we’re all about here.”
-Deanna Allen

The other food stops don’t disappoint either. The Seed of Life Bistro specializes in raw and vegan dishes, and gluten-free sweets are on tap at New Day Desserts. A French cellar-inspired bar called Chateau D’Vine offers wine, tapas, cheese and craft beers. And during weekends and special events, the Island BBQ and Jerk Pit fires up hormone-free organic chicken and grass-fed beef. And did we mention there are reasonable prices? “Organic doesn’t have to be expensive. Natural doesn’t have to be expensive,” Allen points out.

On-site is Allen and Ozer’s Ginger Root Farm and Country Store, a farmer’s market for cottage industry products. “We are trying to promote all the farmers in Broward County,” Ozer says.

Local vendors gather for Eucalyptus Gardens’ Urban Life Green Market every Thursday—sponsored by SoFla Urban Farms—to sell natural hair and skin products, organic raw honey, baked goods, jewelry and more.

For this food-loving nook, expansion is not slowing down. The last part of Eucalyptus Gardens’ self-called “Eat.Brew.Bark.Love” concept is love. And this friendly team has a lot of it. Allen and her partners recognize passion overcomes challenges: “Yes, we’re new. Yes, we’re growing. Yes, you make hiccups…but working together is what we’re all about here.”

 

Venice-Magazine-Spring-2014-Issue-Eucalyptus-Gardens-Matias-Jurgeit-Argentina-Alchemist-Coffee-Shop-Tina-Ashchian-Benjamin-Rusnak-5
The Alchemist Coffee Shop’s Matias Jurgeit, who learned to hand-roast and craft coffee in Mexico, has created a unique coffee brewing experience.
Venice-Magazine-Spring-2014-Issue-Eucalyptus-Gardens-Matias-Jurgeit-Argentina-Alchemist-Coffee-Shop-Tina-Ashchian-Benjamin-Rusnak-4
The grilled portobello sandwich is one of the few cooked items on the predominantly raw menu at Seed of Life Bistro.
Venice-Magazine-Spring-2014-Issue-Eucalyptus-Gardens-Matias-Jurgeit-Argentina-Alchemist-Coffee-Shop-Tina-Ashchian-Benjamin-Rusnak-9
A lover of chemistry, the Alchemist’s Jurgeit blends tea, regular and coffee ice cubes into iced drinks.
Venice-Magazine-Spring-2014-Issue-Eucalyptus-Gardens-Matias-Jurgeit-Argentina-Alchemist-Coffee-Shop-Tina-Ashchian-Benjamin-Rusnak-10
The blooming tea found at the Alchemist includes dried flower buds that blossom into a beautiful flower.
Venice-Magazine-Spring-2014-Issue-Eucalyptus-Gardens-Matias-Jurgeit-Argentina-Alchemist-Coffee-Shop-Tina-Ashchian-Benjamin-Rusnak-8
Eucalyptus Gardens is an all-in-one farm, restaurant, coffee shop and store.
Venice-Magazine-Spring-2014-Issue-Eucalyptus-Gardens-Matias-Jurgeit-Argentina-Alchemist-Coffee-Shop-Tina-Ashchian-Benjamin-Rusnak-7
The center is named after the seven eucalyptus trees found on the property.
Venice-Magazine-Spring-2014-Issue-Eucalyptus-Gardens-Matias-Jurgeit-Argentina-Alchemist-Coffee-Shop-Tina-Ashchian-Benjamin-Rusnak-6
Koi fish enhance the serene and peaceful environment.
Venice-Magazine-Spring-2014-Issue-Eucalyptus-Gardens-Matias-Jurgeit-Argentina-Alchemist-Coffee-Shop-Tina-Ashchian-Benjamin-Rusnak-3
Fresh greens are for sale at the center’s Ginger Root Farm and Country Store.
Venice-Magazine-Spring-2014-Issue-Eucalyptus-Gardens-Matias-Jurgeit-Argentina-Alchemist-Coffee-Shop-Tina-Ashchian-Benjamin-Rusnak-2
Ginger Root Farm and Country Store also sells goose eggs.

 

 

 

“Working together is what we’re all about here.”

—Deanna Allen

You may also like

SUBSCRIBE

to our newsletter!