In Memory of Dottie

Our dear friend Dottie Ramos passed away on Thursday, April 19th surrounded by her loving family. She was a giant part of our Orchard family for so many years. Friend to all and Master Hugger, no one was a stranger to Dot, just a friend she had yet to know. No one had as many adventures as Dottie or stories to tell. She spread her magic at the Lazy K for many years.

We were all blessed to call her our friend, she will be greatly missed! 

The Lazy K gals, including Dottie, back in 2006!

Dancing the night away with our very own Marty Martinez.

Excuse the photo quality, this was back in the 90's! Spot our Dot top row, second from left.

Here is a poem written by longtime Lazy K friend and customer, Jane Pettit, for Dottie's 85th birthday. 

 

Whoa Dottie! 

By Jane Pettit

“Whoa Dottie - What a girl!
She’s a Lazy Kazy pearl!
A perfect lady everyday-
Well-dressed and coiffed-I. Magnin’s way

She knows your name and keeps a book-
Can tell you just the place to look...
For special presents on your list,
The ones you may have surely missed.

Whoa Dottie-What a girl!
She’s a Lazy Kazy pearl!

Of course, we’ll gift wrap she will say-
We’d LIKE to-just go on and pay up front...
And while we’re busy back here wrappin
You’ll buy more things- it OFTEN happens!

The Queen of jewels-She sells a bunch...
Or a hostess gift to take to lunch..
A wedding present for the bride,
She’ll be the perfect retail guide.

Whoa Dottie - What a girl!
She’s a Lazy Kazy pearl!

Need a hand towel? Need some soap?
In any crisis, Dot can cope-
She’s a winner through and through
When just the very best will do!

Have an issue, a RETURN!!
Don’t ask Dottie, you will learn,
But she will fix it- if she MUST..
Our customers in her do trust!

The ‘little shoppers’ always know,
That if they’re good and help Mom go,
Around the store-they’ll get a treat..
A chocolate dividend to eat!

Whoa Dottie - What a girl!
She’s a Lazy Kazy pearl!

Dot loves baseball, football, too,
Almost any sport will do,
But tennis IS the very best,
Unless she wins, there is no rest!

TLC is always flowing-
Her happy fan club just keeps growing,
With such a knack for names and faces,
Dottie’s surely going places!

Here’s to family, fun and friends,
A super year that never ends,
You’re 85-it’s just a number,
’Cause you just keep getting younger!

Whoa Dottie - What a girl!
She’s a Lazy Kazy pearl!”

The History Of Orchard Nursery, Florist & Lazy K

The land where our nursery sits today was originally a pear orchard and fruit stand owned by the Kergan family. The "Lazy K", our gift house, was the family home of the original ranch owners and sat where the freeway is today. The name, "Lazy K" comes from the cattle brand, a rocking "K", used by the Kergan family way back when. 

Orchard Nursery & Florist was established in 1946 by the original owners Jack Schneider and his partner Stewart Wade. The entire nursery was originally conceived and designed with the help of  the renowned landscape architect, Ernest Wertheim. 

Ernest Wertheim created a seating area including the pond, inviting customers to stay awhile.

“In the middle of the nursery, we created a picturesque patio surrounded by plants. There were a dozen or so comfortable chairs around tables that invited customers to sit, relax, converse, and take in the lovely flowers around them. Jack and Stewart hosted fashion shows, parties and occasions of all sorts on this patio...Sundays at Orchard Nursery became a routine, a weekly social event enjoyed by the whole neighborhood. ”

— Chasing Spring by Ernest Wertheim with Linda Hamilton 

An Orchard Nursery & Florist fashion show, 1958.

Ernest is still greatly respected in horticultural circles and is active in the U.S. as well as Europe.  Over the last 35 years there have been many changes throughout the nursery and it is felt that the metamorphosis of the business over time is one of its biggest assets.

In the late fifties the florist department was opened. Our Florist department became famous for its great selection of African Violets that were grown in our upper greenhouses on the hill. Today our florist is filled with gorgeous orchids and many other varieties of blooming houseplants. 

The view from where Highway 24 sits now.

In the late fifties Highway 24 was built and the Lazy K was moved to its current location. (That's why you feel like you drive into "the back" when you visit.) The main store was also enlarged to accommodate the increase in business due to the rapid growth in the surrounding area.

Our original store was 1/3 its current size.

In 1972 Tom Courtright bought Orchard Nursery and used the Lazy K as his family home. He's owned the nursery for over 45 years now and been in the nursery business his entire life. His father Gordon opened one of the first retail garden centers in our area, and Tom's sister and her husband own East Bay Nursery in Berkeley. Additionally Tom's wife, Jacquie, owns Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore, which is also an institution in that part of the East Bay. 

Tom has always supported the nursery industry in every way he possibly can. He believes that you only get out of it what you put in. A past President of many nursery state and national associations and lifelong member of Rotary and Chamber of Commerce in Lafayette, he was named Lafayette's Citizen of the Year in 1989.

Our November 1981 newsletter. In those days Tom Giantvalley, the nursery's manager in the fifties and sixties, hand wrote our newsletters from his office on the second story of the Lazy K House.

This year we'll be celebrating our 68th Christmas show. In 1949 Orchard Nursery presented its first and over the years we've become well-known throughout the state and among garden center peers for our extensive inventory and extravagant displays. If you stop in today you'll see our team of elves hard at work getting all of our stunning trees decorated and on display in the shop. Stay tuned to find out when Santa will be pulling up in his sleigh at the nursery! 

Employee Spotlight: Briana Ali

This week, we talked to Lazy K’s Briana Ali. If you follow Lazy K on Facebook or Instagram (and we hope you do), you’ve seen her handiwork. Next time you are browsing the Lazy K, be sure to say hello!

How long have you worked at the Lazy K?

I started at the Lazy K in September 2015.

What is your favorite part about working at the Lazy K?

I feel as if I have joined a family here at the Lazy K. Everyone from my coworkers to our regular customers make coming to work such a pleasure. 

What are some of your favorite memories in your time working here?

The Lazy K dinners are the best. Past employees host and attend every Lazy K dinner and it is a special time to reconnect. I wasn't kidding when I said working here is like one big family. It's awesome.

What is your favorite piece at the Lazy K right now?

We just started carrying Chico-based aromatherapy line, Unlock Home, and the happy scented candle is amazing. I am also obsessed with Vilagallo, a Spanish designer that has just arrived at the shop. Look out for their bohemian Chanel-esque coats. With a constant rotation of new handbags, I can’t even decide on a favorite. I am always wearing them around the store, asking everyone's opinion.

What can we look forward to this summer - any new and exciting pieces coming in?

We have our best selling Dolma tunics coming soon in brand new prints and colors, a perfect weight for the warmer months.

What do you do in your spare time - any hobbies?

I love to cook and go on walks with my family. I also love shopping, for myself and to find the perfect gift for someone, which makes my job at the Lazy K a dream come true.

What is something that people might not know about you?

I was an All-American volleyball player at UC Santa Cruz.

What’s popular at The Lazy K House

Have you been able to stop by The Lazy K House recently? Not only does the shop have beautiful home décor and gifts, but it also features fashionable jewelry, apothecary and novelty items. Furthermore, The Lazy K House loves to work with and feature local businesses and American-made products in the shop.

Here are a few of our favorite products currently residing on The Lazy K House shelves. We invite you to drop in and explore all of our many treasures.  

The Shine Project

An intern at an inner-city high school, Ashley LeMieux worked with and mentored students who didn’t feel that higher education was feasible. Determined to support these students, she began Threads by The Shine Project, a hand-made jewelry business, to raise college scholarship funds. Threads by The Shine Project employs inner-city students and 100% of donations go directly to the students. In total, The Shine Project has awarded over 40 scholarships since 2011.

Napa Soap Company

Committed to avoiding harsh and harmful ingredients in mass-produced soap, the owners of Napa Soap Company created all-natural soap from lavender and other botanicals planted in their personal garden. Now, Napa Soap Company has multiple lines of all-natural soaps in numerous scents and for any occasion. 

Alisha D. 

Alisha D. is an innovative and fashion-forward jewelry company on a mission to create bold and modern designs. The brand is passionate about creating versatile pieces that suits the needs of its customers while bringing a unique aesthetic to the industry. With a wide range of products for women of all ages, Alisha D. jewelry creates a lasting statement.