Almost anyone around this area is familiar with Rockville Pike, one of the area’s most densely trafficked roadways. Whether it’s visiting the malls or restaurants all up and down the road, or simply buying groceries, everyone knows the hotspots.
Yet much of the area is underappreciated and unexplored, especially stores and spaces that go unmentioned.But these spaces next to the big chain stores and establishments surrounding them can sometimes be exactly what you’re looking for.
In Montrose Crossing Shopping Center, during the winter seasons, rows of Christmas trees peek out from a fenced area as wood smoke wafts into the air from a warmly lit garden. Inside, families and visitors greet Pablo Rodriguez, co-owner and operator of Pablo’s Gardens, as he offers them a place under a makeshift outdoor fireplace to warm their hands. Alongside his wife, Mindy Houri, the couple built and uphold a magical and unforgettable area that offers visitors the chance to experience unique art and beautiful grounds.
The garden is an oasis of art, sculptures and plants, a contrast compared to the commercial stores and restaurants surrounding one side of the garden area, with cars going by on the Pike on the other side of the grounds. Shelves and antique benches throughout the garden display artwork range from hand-held Buddha pottery, to huge, brightly-painted tin toucan statues. Wind chimes of every different size hang from pergolas in the back of the garden, each tastefully crafted and bearing a different tune.
Pieces of art that feature metal components are imported to Houri and Rodriguez from Mexico, most of them using recycled vehicle parts. “Pablo finds incredible pieces. Somebody else’s trash is his treasure. He can find something broken, bent, a one-winged angel. And that’s how we work,” Mindy Rodriguez said. “Together we create the finished product. That’s the inspiration, how can we take what it is and give it a new face, give it a new feeling, a message.”
Not only are the gardens used to display art, but they also offer visitors the chance to host events and gatherings using the space. Pablo’s Garden has hosted embassy luncheons, black tie events, bar mitzvahs and weddings. “For a period of time we did an open mic night, and people came and played music,” Houri said. “We have seen and tasted many, many flavors with the garden.”
Recently, the business has shifted towards selling Christmas trees toward the end of the year. Regardless of visitors who just stop by and long term customers, Rodriguez works on catering to all visitors looking for one-of-a-kind plants and pieces of art. “He is a one-man show. He does the Christmas season with the most beautiful spirit and kindness, and he does it all by himself,” Houri said. “People forget what small businesses are about, but Pablo demonstrates what a small business is.”
One of the most difficult factors that small business owners struggle with is the growing competition from megastores like Amazon and Walmart that threaten to expand and potentially hurt small businesses. “Small businesses have been so affected by the larger, big-box stores, and that is the single reason which shifted our business. Home Depot and local super markets started selling at such a cheap price, and even if the product was inferior, they made it easier,” Houri said.
Taking something and turning into a positive outcome is what Houri and Rodriguez have experienced throughout their journey with the garden. When encountering the area and preparing to set up, their first task was to tackle the mess and trash that littered the space. After cleaning it up, the area transformed. “It organically bloomed and it just became more and more magical,” Houri said. “And then the pandemic happened, and we just shifted the magic and put it to where it really is, the same sanctuary, the sanctuary which now caters to selling special items, and renting out our space to people to have magical experiences.”
Sophomore Edlawit Abebe is familiar with the garden and hopes to one day visit. “I’ve heard a lot of good things, and I don’t think I’ve heard of an area in our community that sounds quite like it,” Abebe said. “I definitely want to check it out.”
Above all, while creating a calming and unique space, Houri and Rodriguez stress the importance of creativity and joy. “The world has gotten so dark, and for those of us who understand that, our job is to make it lighter. I believe the biggest, best contribution that Pablo and I give to the garden space, is that we shine light to a place that has become quite polluted and dark,” Houri said.
