For those who frequently walk or drive through downtown Greensboro, the sight of large palm trees through an iron gate may have caught your attention a time or two, but you may not have realized exactly what this unique and beautiful space is.
Lake & Local opened its doors in January 2022 offering home decor and gifts sourced from Southern small businesses, but the retail portion of the business is only part of what they do. The stunning palm garden is also part of Lake & Local, is open to the public during regular business hours, and is also available for rent as a small event venue.
Enter through the garden gates off of the Main Street parking lot and walk through the black bamboo canopy into a palm garden that feels completely set apart from the rest of the downtown hustle and bustle.
Originally designed and installed in 1996 by local horticulturist Tom McClendon, this garden went through a long season of neglect, but thanks to new owners Kirsten Thompson and Kelly Parham, as well as their husbands, life has been breathed back into this amazing space.
“The building itself was a gem, but when we realized the garden was part of the property, we immediately signed the lease on this incredible space and got to work cleaning up the garden to give it back to the community of Greensboro,” says Kirsten Thompson. “We’ve had locals cry when seeing the beauty restored to this space. It’s quite magical.”
The garden, lovingly named the Gathering Garden by Kelly and Kirsten, is one of the private event venues offered by Lake & Local.
All event rentals include the use of folding tables and chairs, and a canopy is available for outdoor events.
Kirsten and Kelly have two stand-up propane heaters for events in colder months and fans for the warm summer days.
Lake & Local also offers a 400-square-foot indoor room in the back of the building, just inside the garden doors. The two spaces can be rented independently of one another or used together for larger events. The Gathering Garden can comfortably accommodate up to 50 guests, depending on table and chair configuration, with another 25-30 in the interior room.
Owners Kelly and Kirsten have already hosted bridal showers, baby showers, graduation parties, and children’s birthday parties and look forward to upcoming events that include a family reunion and an intimate wedding in September.
Kelly and Kirsten are excited to welcome you and your guests to this special venue, a truly one-of-a-kind event setting in the heart of downtown Greensboro.
Visit the website at www.lakeandlocal.com to download the Venue Guide, stop by the shop to view the venue at 104 S. Main Street, or call 706-920-1130 for more information.