From a driveway sale to the farm in Brackendale.
This has always been a family affair, with humble beginnings in 2012 as a small seedling sale held in our parent’s driveway. We called ourselves "Republic Heirlooms," inspired by our neighborhood and the heirloom tomatoes we grew. Little did we know, our little business would attract something of a cult following over the next decade.
With the enthusiastic support of our community, we were inspired to expand to seedlings beyond just tomatoes, and it wasn’t long before we outgrew that driveway. We leased our idyllic location on the Squamish River in Brackendale, and Local Roots was born in 2022.
That Spring turned out to be one of the wettest seasons on record for Squamish. Still, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work getting the land ready for growing, complete with market garden and greenhouses. We wheeled over 70 yards of soil, compost, and chips that year.
Five years later, we’ve certainly grown, but our spirit has stayed the same. We’ve become a one-stop-shop for all things gardening with over 1000 plant and seed varieties, but we're still as personable with our customers as we were with our neighbours. The family is still here, now alongside an incredible team of expert growers.
We still find the greatest joy in helping people grow their confidence to garden, reconnect with locally grown foods, and make the most of every season.
We can’t wait to see you at the market!
— The Bolkowy family
