PARADISE — The sign at the front of 5424 Foster Road says Deja Vu Gardens Galore Nursery, but Cindy Dawson is likely to hear people refer to her business as “the old Mendon’s Nursery” for awhile.
She doesn’t mind it a bit.
Dawson opened the nursery in late August after reaching a lease arrangement with John Mendon, owner of Mendon’s Nursery before the Camp Fire destroyed it.
Likewise, Dawson had Gardens Galore Nursery on Pearson Road until the Camp Fire, which also burned out her mother’s adjacent business, Deja-Vu antiques.
After relocating to Chico, Dawson was able to save some of her stock, along with starting to buy and deliver plants to online customers.
Late winter 2020, Dawson decided to see if Mendon’s and Gardens Galore were a fit. Dawson happened to find Mendon at the nursery his father Jerry started in 1975.
Mendon, who lives in Orland, was interested in hearing her vision and eventually agreed to help.
“He’s been so supportive, so wonderful,” Dawson said at the opening event Aug. 28, which was celebrated by the Paradise Chamber of Commerce.
Others happy about the arrangement include three former Mendon employees who Dawson hired, Adam Eaglin, Alvin Balison and “Ang.”
At 85 years old, Balison puts in 40 hours a week on watering duty.
On opening day, Dawson hosted an employee update, stressing customer service and coronavirus safety. Standing near to a small line of plant-ready but rusty carts, she promised employees a champagne toast at the end of the first day.
Not far behind her, the Jungle Room greenhouse stood, the only building that withstood the fire thanks to the generous humidity it contained. As of yet, it is empty but promising.
Dawson will only be open Fridays through Sundays, but hopes to expand as she gets settled.
Dawson stocks landscaping plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers initially, and will be adding fountains, arbors and pots soon. She happily takes all plastic garden containers for recycling, and accepts special orders.
Mendon plans to eventually move to Arizona to be closer to family.
Baring his iconic smile, Mendon at Dawson’s opening was heard to say, “She’s got a nice selection of plants.”
An early visitor noted the link between growing plants and regrowing homes on the ridge.
At the nursery entrance, the sign says, “Together, we are replanting Paradise.”