A Champagne bar, plant sales, face painting and workshops: Rodney’s is hosting a massive birthday bash, and you’re invited

Posted on 8 November, 2024

Ever since it opened its doors in picturesque Pialligo in 1974, Rodney’s Plant Plus has touched the lives of locals.

From its humble beginning retailing plants and teaching keen gardeners to its transformation into a beloved gardening, homewares, lifestyle, and food experience, many people in Canberra – whether they know it or not – have the Toll family to thank for memories, knowledge and know-how.

So as Rodney’s gets ready to celebrate its 50th birthday, it feels only right that this iconic part of Canberra’s history gets not just one but several celebrations running throughout November.

And as founders Rodney and Cheryl Toll prepare for the gardening centre’s birthday bonanza, Rodney says that while the celebration is in honour of half a decade of operating, it’s really about giving back to the Canberra community.

“We want to involve the community, bring people out to the garden centre and enjoy the environment out here,” he explains.

“Business, in general, can be hard. To be able to last 50 years through the ups and downs is quite a thing,” adds his daughter, Fiona Toll. “Especially family businesses.”

“To have a family business where you’ve had your children involved and it’s still here is amazing.”

Kicking off on Saturday 16 November with a doggie day out complete with show bags, vouchers from the Waggington in Manuka, free fairy floss and popcorn, face-painting, and a massive sale on plants. And to top it off Mix 106.3 will be broadcasting live from the nursery from 10 am till1 pm with a massive giveaway. That’s right – Rodney’s 50th birthday celebrations will run until Sunday 24 November, with something different happening each day.

The highlights? Sunday 17 November will see live music and children’s workshops, on Thursday 21 November there will be a VIP Marist Fundraiser Evening with late night shopping a Champagne bar, canapès, giveaways and goodie bags. And across Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November there will a champagne and gin bar, the café will be putting on a fire feast, face painting. live music and so much more!

The café will also be joining the celebrations with their fire feast happening over both weekends. They will have chefs cooking on an Argentinean grill over hot coal out in the gardens and serving up delicious food. The café has been a staple of the nursery for many years with Rodney’s being one of the first garden centres in Australia to put in a café.

Opening the café in 1996, what originally began as a free Devonshire Tea experience quickly evolved into one of Canberra’s most popular al fresco dining destinations for families – with the staff seating hundreds of people during Father’s Day 2024 alone.

“We’d do 60 dozen scones a day giving out Devonshire Tea. The idea was to get people to come out and stay a bit longer,” says Rodney.

“That then evolved to become a café…it brings out the younger people.”

Currently employing 85 staff members across the business, beyond the services and items it offers, Rodney’s is integrated into the daily lives of many Canberrans. And as a family-run business, Rodney and Cheryl understand the power of supporting the local community.

After all, with the family home located on the property, the Tolls have grown up alongside the business.

The Toll family.

“When it comes to our loyal customers, there’s a lot of family in the business here and they’ve seen all of us grow up,” says Fiona. “I do think that people recognise that family feel to the business.”

“Growing up here, it’s part of your life, it’s all-encompassing…it was really fun. There was always a playground here and I remember being a little child we would have endless people to play with.”

With something happening that every member of the family will enjoy, Rodney’s 50th birthday is a great opportunity to support, celebrate and elevate a local business. And honestly, what sounds better than enjoying a glass of bubbles while the kids learn how to make fairy and dinosaur gardens from the expert team at Rodney’s?

“I do think that we will have a lot of customers who have been coming here a long time, who know the business and the family but also younger people with their children and pets,” says Fiona.

“We’re offering a whole range [of things to do]. There’s entertainment for children, entertainment for parents, and grandparents. There’s something for everyone.”

For more information on what’s happening for Rodney’s 50th birthday, visit rodneys.com.au

Images supplied.