Grumpy’s Garden

There’s a little bit of northern New Mexico hiding out in an old gas station at the corner of 15th Street and Owasso Avenue in Tulsa.

Under a cloud of fragrant pinon smoke billowing from a chiminea next to the door, Grumpy’s Garden sells hippie clothes, potted plants, incense, strings of stuffed birds and turtles, Mexican ceramics, chimineas, handpainted wooden crosses decorated with dozens of tiny milagros, chimineas, greeting cards, bumper stickers, local honey, chimineas, Burt’s Bees products, hemp jewelry, gloves, hats, terra cotta garden decorations, chimineas, pinon wood, firestarters, stepping stones, chimineas, lawn gnomes, circle of friends candleholders, a few antiques and collectibles, and did I mention chimineas?

In the summer, Grumpy’s also offers a huge selection of seedlings for the garden — everything from Corsican mint to Red Peter peppers — and owner Shaun Greer has been known to hold gardening classes for children.

On pretty days, her husband sells “Grumpy Dogs” from a pushcart on the corner; his fans can buy Grumpy Dog T-shirts if they so desire.

Prices are not particularly cheap, but they are reasonable, and Greer herself is a charming hostess — an amiable hippie whose priorities lie not in making a buck, but in having a good time and making friends while surrounding herself with things she likes. (She’s been known to sell things at cost if she liked the items but felt a markup would push the prices out of her customers’ reach.)

She can chat at length about organic gardening, herbal medicine, dogs, kids, Leon Russell, hippie fashion, Taos, incense, energy, and of course her beloved chimineas, which permeate the neighborhood with the distinctive aroma of pinon.

If the shop is reminiscent of Taos, Santa Fe, or Old Town Albuquerque, it’s by design: Greer has said that one of her main goals in opening the business was to bring a little bit of New Mexico to Tulsa. Having spent more than my fair share of time wandering around artsy little hippie shops in the Land of Enchantment, I’d say she’s met that goal nicely.

Grumpy’s is located at 1140 E. 15th St. Hours vary, but she’s usually open until 5 p.m. in the winter, with later hours in the summer. If you’re coming from out of town, it’s not a bad idea to call ahead at (918) 582-3637.

Grades:
Value: A
Service: A+
Convenience: B -
Products: A+
Overall: A

~ by redforkhippie on February 17, 2007.