Spurred by the closure of a nearby garden center, Rehoboth-area residents Stuart Ortel, Scott Marker, Dave Lyons and Rick Hardy have opened Bay Laurel Home & Garden on Route 1.

Located just south of the intersection with Route 24, in what was the longtime home of Farmer Girl Exotic Gardens, Bay Laurel has been open for more than a week and continues to receive new deliveries daily. Renovations are also underway in what will be the gift shop.

When complete, the new center will feature a full nursery with annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees and seasonal selections; a garden center offering pottery, fountains and garden ornamentation; essential tools and garden supplies; a garden shop featuring unique indoor/outdoor furnishings and accessories; the gift shop featuring botanical and coastal items for home and entertaining; and year-round workshops, classes, seasonal events and community-focused programming.

Ortel, who has three decades of experience in landscape and architectural design, said the business partnership came together when Wharton’s Garden Center, located half a mile south at the intersection of Old Landing and Airport roads, closed at the end of 2025. The employees who worked at Wharton’s are now working here, which means customers can expect the same great service and continuity, he said.

Marker, Ortel’s partner, was in the commercial insurance business for decades before retiring last year.

“[Stuart] wouldn’t let me stay retired,” said Marker, with a smile.

“[Scott] was able to get us a good deal on insurance,” joked Ortel.

This isn’t the first local business Lyons and Hardy have started. They opened Coho’s Market on Rehoboth Avenue in early 2020 before selling it a couple of years later.

“Stuart and Scott approached us about going into business together, and we liked the concept of an upscale garden center,” said Hardy.

Farmer Girl Exotic Gardens was owned and operated by Mary Elizabeth Rash for more than 50 years before her death in 2021.  

Ortel said that in addition to rehiring the former Wharton’s employees, they’re happy to be reopening the property as a garden center, and they’re not the only ones. When the property was leased, he said, the daughter of the former owner was happy about the idea, too.

Editor’s note: The story has been updated to say the property was leased, not purchased.