Bill and Marion’s children, Lynn, Debbie, Carol, Jane and Paul all worked at the family business growing up. Bill worked long hours, six days a week, so coming to the shop on Saturdays and during busy seasons gave us a chance to spend time with him. We each learned valuable lessons: how to work hard […]
Martin’s 115th Anniversary
It’s our anniversary! We have been told that Alfred Martin and his wife purchased this property in 1898. And here we are, the same family in the same place, 115 years later. Here’s a look at the greenhouses that were built by “Alfie” and family. They were market gardeners, growing a little rhubarb, some bedding […]
Fresh Plants Need a Home
We have some fabulous fresh plants in the shop. Are you looking for a living, growing, air-cleaning addition to your home? Some of these plants are listed in our article on Plants that Clean the Air. In the photo you can see a Boston fern, Yucca, Phoenix Roebellini palm, Limelight Dracaena and Aglaomena Silver Queen […]
Heintzman Place Lobby Decoration
Heintzman Place is a new condo development near Dundas and Keele. Older residents will know it as the former Canadian Tire site. There are two buildings, tall and stylish. Framed prints of Junction history abound in the lobby areas. The two lobbies are tastefully decorated with stone and wood. Here’s one photo: We were asked […]
Open House at Martin’s – lots of fun!
Our annual Open House was last Saturday, December 1st. It was a fun day, catching up with customers who have known us for years and meeting folks who are new to the neighbourhood. The store looked absolutely beautiful. Here are some photos: First the outside: And inside: On the opposite side, all reds: Here is […]
Christmas Open House on Saturday, Dec. 1
It’s time again for our holiday Open House! Join us between noon and 6 pm. This Saturday, we will have samples of all our Christmas arrangements on display. Not only that, but fabulous home-made treats, mulled cider and activities for the kids! You can shop our lovely giftware in the store, and order flowers to […]
A Fun Halloween Window Display
Here is our newest window! We took six fresh pumpkins of varying sizes and stacked them up (how? it’s a secret!) for this vignette. Accented with bittersweet, they sure are eye-catching as people walk or drive by. Lana and Katie added some cute tin wild turkeys for a little macabre fun. Perched along the edge […]
New Plants at Martin’s
Air plants are fascinating. They look and feel like something artificial, with no root. Yet they are living plants, dependent on moisture in the air to survive. We take the plants and submerge them in water for ten minutes or so, about once a week. That seems to be all the care they require. Here […]
The Farm is coming to the City
We’re looking forward to the first Farm Fest in the Junction! Do your children think that milk and eggs come from the grocery store? Have they ever seen a real goat or chicken? The Junction BIA is hosting a children’s educational event on July 23rd. Kids will be able to meet real Ontario farmers and […]
Life in a 1929 Building
The property that our shop is on was purchased by Alfred and Elizabeth Martin in 1898. At that time, there wooden plank sidewalks and dirt roads. Horses still pulled carriages, and ladies wore long dresses. There is a great photo collection of Toronto in the 1890’s at BlogTO that gives you a sense of the […]
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