Our Story
Our garden centre and nursery business has been in continuous operation at the current location in Seal Cove, Prince Rupert since 1991. Originally known as Azalea Gardens, the former owners sold the business in late 2013 to the Gitmaxmak'ay Nisga'a Society.
An economic development corporation was launched to continue managing the operation, and it was renamed Rupert Lawn & Garden. Between 2014 - 2024, the business quadrupled in size and broke ground on a major redevelopment in the 2019 offseason, as well as two new greenhouses in 2021 and 2024.
Overcoming temporary setbacks caused by the global pandemic, in May 2022, we celebrated the opening of our outdoor patio cafe and rebranded as the Yaga Cafe Garden Co.
We are the humble recipients of the 2021 BC Indigenous Community-Owned Business of the Year, the 2016 BC Aboriginal Community-Owned Business Achievement Award, and the 2021 Northern View Reader's Choice Award for Prince Rupert's top Indigenous business and environmentally-friendly business.
Community-Owned and Operated
Yaga Cafe Garden Co. is proud to be owned and operated by a Prince Rupert-based non-profit organization. Being part of a community-owned business means being a community-minded neighbour.
Our mission is to create local jobs and revenues. We see ourselves as a customer service company who just so happens to be in the garden centre business. We are committed to enhancing the well-being of our customers and team members, being responsible stewards for our local ecosystem, and impacting positive change in our community.
Indigenous Quadruple Bottom Line Business
You may have heard of a triple bottom line business, commonly described as a focus on profits, people, and the plant. As an Indigenous community-owned business, culture is the fourth area of focus for us.
As a part of the Gitmaxmak'ay Group of Companies, all profits that are not re-invested in growing the business go towards language and culture revitalization initiatives for the 1600 Nisga'a citizens living in Prince Rupert and Port Edward, away from their traditional territory in the Nass Valley.