I have often shopped at this store mostly because I supremely believe that boutique type, non-big box businesses need our patronage to survive. I continued to do so not because but inspite of the customer service and staff who are simply horrible. There's absolutely nothing more pathetic than sales people who confuse the perceived value of the merchandise on display at their place of work with their own worth. The first rule for any successful retailer is to ensure that the customer always has a pleasant and memorable experience and will return again and again. There is a reason Nordstrom has done very well even though they offer much less sales than say Macy's - its the superior customer service stupid! Even if contrived & insincere, many of us will pay full price for good service...for the very same reason we do not shop Macy's even if they were giving merchandise away. The Gardener has a well laid out space, the sort that attempts to convince one that pieces of colorful worthless crap mostly made in china these days, is somehow a "must have". One would think that would be accompanied with equally played up happy & warm service. For years my friends and I played along, humoring them as we indulged in shopping trips that supported the store but left us feeling mostly hollow from our encounters with very unpleasant shop attendants with their very dour expressions and frequent under their breath whispering (gossiping) about customers on the floor. Another reviewer used the word "snobbish" to describe them but I beg to differ. That word actually suggests a certain level of accomplishment or footing in society and cannot be ascribed to what honestly are common shop hands who certainly couldn't have too much going for them if they are to be found toiling away at this establishment. Instead these people are rude, sully and generally have a chip on their shoulder for whatever reason. My one friend, a doctor suggests that they may in fact be clinically depressed - she would know. I personally remain curious as to why the owner of this store chooses to convey her disdain for the many customers who support her business by endorsing the terrible behavior of her staff especially the younger ones. To inflict these poorly trained personnel upon patrons who could easily purchase these same items for much less through the various media available today, simply suggests one thing....she can't possibly care! So my friends and I have decided that we will no longer patronize this business until its owner makes the effort to convey the respect and equally high end customer service those who have enriched & supported her and the Gardener deserve. read more

The usual tasteful display of items in a natural style. Moxie took painstaking care to PERFECTLY wrap a gift. Exquisite!

A lot of beautiful things and it is fun to look around. Sure, I'm not going to buy the $400 stone bowl, but there seem to be a lot of affordable smaller gifts items. Despite some other reviews, I've found the people there to be very nice. read more

This store is incredible - and you get what you pay for, so don't expect to buy anything for "normal" prices. But the way it's laid out, the selection of unique, one-of-a-kind furniture (many antiques) and gardening implements, tools and books - make me feel all warm and gushy everytime I walk through here. If you want to experience being a yuppy, take a walk through this store. But you have to pretend you're serious about buying something. LOL Seriously - I love this place. read more

Total eye candy. Everything is absolutely gorgeous...the buyers have astonishing taste in almost everything. Stock changes often so it's usually fun to wander around. Note that most of the merchandise is not about gardening...it's gifts, home decor and a few personal accessories. Very skewed toward contemporary taste and natural materials. Sigh -- very, very pricey, but no worse than anyplace else for the same stuff - but most of their stuff isn't available elsewhere. read more

Disclaimer: I used to work there... and I hope to again at some point... I wanted to comment on Eileen R.'s comment on there being 5 people on the floor and no one helping her, even when she went to ask she was directed to someone else... We were told to greet customers and be friendly, make them feel welcome, and walk around and straighten things when we're not with customers. I always tried to say "hi" or "if you need any help, just let me know" when they first entered the store, but I also tried not to be too aggressive about approach people when they were browsing because (maybe this is my own complex) I didn't want anyone to feel pressured. It's an expensive store and probably the majority of the people won't buy anything (but will flip over the cup, the plate, the salt and pepper shaker and gasp at the prices). We didn't work on commission, not even on those $4000 tables, so it didn't matter individually who made the sale. Perhaps because of that, we seemed less "attentive". The other thing was that we were told it's always better to redirect a customer to an employee who knew the answer than trying to help and give the wrong information. I only worked there for a few months so I didn't know the products all that well; I redirected *most* of my customers... Yea, the prices are high, way high, I couldn've have afforded to shop there if not for my employee discount... and no gift wrapping on sale items, sorry, store policy. But I think one way to get around that would've been to buy a regularly priced item and asked to have that wrapped, and oh, can you put this other thing in there too... Thumbs up to the giftwrappers!!! You should tip them. ;-) read more

For years my mother & I have been been patrons of this store, unfortunately today that all changed. I witnessed an overly aggressive, snarky employee be incredibly rude to someone in the store this morning. It seemed unnecessary and definitely not "in the holiday spirit". The store has a great variety of nice giftable items, but so do many other shops whose staff is not quite so abrasive. This young woman should NOT be working with the public. read more

Oh my God, you have got to be kidding! I've shopped at The Gardener many, many times over the years, reaching back into the mid 1990's so I can't say that I haven't enjoyed shopping there and haven't found nice gifts for others as well as items for myself. But my most recent experience has turned me off completely regarding this store. The Gardener always has and continues to look great. I've been told that the owner does most if not all of the buying. If that's so, she has a great eye for design. But there is something ethically quite gross about a store that has the gall to offer for sale a small candle in a plain glass for $60. Its especially sad since I had just witnessed persons going through trash baskets for recycleables and asking for spare change not 50 yards away from the front door of the Berkeley store. There seems to be something seriously out of balance here. You sorta have ask yourself what kind of society we've become. I also have to agree with other yelpers who reported the seeming lack of awareness on the part of the "help" staff. Indeed they seem neither observant, nor knowledgeable, nor helpful. I frankly don't know why there are so many in the store unless to scope out potential shoplifters. That's the only reason I can think of for why I can stand at the counter in front of the register in plain sight of the clerk behind the counter, me with an item to purchase in one hand and cash in the other and am still ignored while the clerk messes with stuff behind the counter, chit chats with other clerks, and just generally wanders aimlessly about. Note to self: Do not go in The Gardener again. read more

Artsy, fun, and unique. While there's a lot of pricey stuff in here, you'll likely find that 'something' for that hard to shop-for friend. My only problem was there were too many lovely soaps and candles to choose from! You could easily spend a good hour in here just checking out all the goods. What a fun shop. read more

If you love upscale gardening stores, this 4th Street oasis will have you seeing green even before you enter. This store is brimming with overpriced gardening supplies, gorgeous plant books, and, of course, plants. Sprinkled throughout are elegant housewares and pricey items like handmade soaps. This is a great place to browse and you can occasionally find a great gift or a treasure for yourself. read more

A great place for high end gifts. Dyptique candles, beautiful soaps, tableware and of course, gardening gifts. I saw a great synthetic rug that I wanted for my kitchen but at $200 for a 2.5x9 rug, I passed. Defintely worth a stop in any time youre on 4th street! read more

The Gardener is a beautiful store and I enjoy window shopping and purchasing small items soaps, pens, etc. but I am always left in sticker shock. $4000 for a dining room table (chairs not included)? They definitely have a different clientele in mind. I can find better prices at the surrounding stores. read more

For a place that has some extraordinarily high prices for home wares, this is a great place to find succulents! The tiny 2" plants were $3, and the larger 4" plants were $8 and I thought I saw some larger plants but I am not sure they were for sale. Their selection of succulents was more eclectic than another succulent nursery nearby, which is interesting, considering it's a chichi store. My only complaint is that they have a small stock of plants, which for a place called The Gardener, you'd think they'd have a more plants. Regardless, I purchased several plants. I'll definitely return to check out their stock again. read more

This is a very nice store selling garden type things and gifts. They had a huge selection of market baskets and I notice their merchandise changes often. Very artsy, quality craftsmanship, unique items found here. read more

Great place to check out for a gift. Always have unique small items. Not for everyone's budget but hey, it's free to look!

This is by far one of my all time favorite shops. I tell people I want to move in. They have beautiful merchandise - honestly don't recall seeing anything in the store that I wouldn't love to have for my home or purchase as a gift. Some things are quite pricey but others quite reasonable - a nice mix of merchandise - all high quality, interesting. One of my favorite places to go when I'm on 4th street even if just to peruse the eye candy. read more

This store is a lovely place. Just love the atmosphere and the assortment. Definitely fun to browse and buy if you find something you absolutely love! I bought two very contemporary linen tea towels to actually hang up in my breakfast nook. read more

The Gardener has changed over the years. From offering a wonderful selection of interesting things for gardeners to items geared more toward gift giving and pricey furniture and jewelry. I have been able to find some delightful small items for the kitchen and some Santa Maria Novella soaps which I was thrilled with so I'm a happy camper but The Gardener I remember from a short while back really is no more. read more

great place to shop on fourth street. they have some cool birdhouses. i especially love the "modern birdhouse" they also have good gardening tools and bulbs. they have a really cool wall of soap too. i am super exited that they are now selling kikkerland products read more

Every time I ' am in the the Bay Area i must visit "The Gardener" - and this place is not only for a middle age woman ( like Joe R. said) but for people with a good taste.......and it's selling not only gardening stuff.... Just few gardening things....but mostly things which appeal to people with estetic sensibillity. Good place to find a gift for that special person. Not cheap but interesting , even if you do not buy anything. read more

I admit it: I'm a sucker for high-end gardening & housewares stores that are designed for middle-aged women. There's something so peaceful about this place, and they do offer some truly unique items that make great gifts. A little pricey and not terribly receptive of 25 year old males, but still pretty cool. I bought an awesome fountain here and have been back several times. read more

Let's boycott establishments like this overly-priced snooty place that does not give refunds but offers a credit voucher. There should be a LARGE sign to show that refunds are not the store policy. Or even better, why not have a sales clerk say, before any transaction occurs, that THEY WILL NOT GIVE A REFUND should the buyer have buyers remorse and want to return their overly priced products at a future date. Oh yes, they do have a small sign on the counter, apparently, but who reads small signs? Post it on the door so that I and maybe other like-minded hard working people will know, upon reading it, not to enter that establishment. Oh, and to get their gift of a paper credit voucher one must give them private information.......why? And what do they do with it? read more

The store does indeed have very lovely things. I have bought really well received gifts at their Ferry Building location, and will often spend a couple of minutes to admire their new items when I'm at the Saturday market or at lunch (I used to work downtown - so previous to this review I have only been to the San Francisco store). My first visit to the Berkeley store was not so pleasant. I have been looking around for items to put on my wedding gift registry and had been drawn to a set of dishes that they have on display in their Ferry Building location. I looked at the website and found that there was no obvious way to set up a gift registry, so I figured I would just ask about it the next time I went by the store. I happened to have an appointment to meet a friend on 4th Street in Berkeley not long after, so was glad to have the opportunity to stop into the bigger Berkeley store to see the wider selection and ask my questions about whether or not the store was able to create a registry. After browsing a bit, I went up to the cashier's stand where there were a few staff members who were not busy attending customers and asked about starting a registry. I was surprised when the staff person I spoke with told me that though they did do registries, she wouldn't do mine, saying that there were so many one-of-a-kind items in the store that it would be too complicated (she did not ask me what I was interested in - and really it would have been pretty simple - just some dishes) and that I should just go online and do everything there. I mentioned that I had already been to the website and there was no option for starting a registry, and she responded that I should just go to the website anyway and call the main number on the website (no offer to just give me the number right then, either, now that I think about it). It sounded strange to me, but I took it at face value and continued on my way. Back home in SF, I started to think that the whole interaction was a little too strange, and decided to ask about starting a registry on my next trip to the Ferry Building store. The salesperson there was really fantastic. I asked her about starting a registry, she said they did indeed do them, but, get this, only at the Berkeley store, and only if you go in person! I explained that I had just been in the Berkeley store, and related what I had been told, so the salesperson picked up the phone right away, called the Berkeley store, and asked if they had stopped doing registries. Of course they hadn't - they are still doing registries, and I simply have to go back to Berkeley and start one right up by just going in and talking to anyone. Of course, I'm completely disenchanted now, because now I know that the staff in the Berkeley store had been deliberately abominable to me. read more

filled with beautiful things and good taste. a prime example of a store in which everything in it is about aesthetics meets functionality.

Nordstrom prices with walmart service. Management needs to spend a little less time sourcing new merchandise and more time teaching their rude staff customer service. Came in multiple times with the intent of buying something but left because of the terrible customer service. read more

The Gardener is a beautiful store with unique and one-of-a-kind items, but the staff leaves you a little cold. Every year I buy Paperwhite bulbs there and would've loved to send some to my mom- this is her favorite place to buy paperwhites. When I asked to ship a dozen, they said that they would not ship them because they could not guarantee them, even though the bulbs would be shipped to Sacramento. Their solution was that I should buy them and ship them myself, although I was willing to take the risk if they shipped them. Their refusal to ship the bulbs was disappointing and the staff's dismissive attitude was surprising. Small gestures add up, especially in a store that commands a high price tag. I've worked in retail 30 years and have always shipped items to customers. Their concern about the bulbs being ruined in shipping is kind of odd, given that the bulbs had to be shipped to the store and possibly warehoused. For unique items and presentation, the store is 5 stars. It is the seeming uncaring attitude of the staff that lowers the 5 star rating. read more

Got the run-around from the management regarding selling artwork. Pretty inconsiderate.

I have to make my frequent stops at the Gardener whenever I'm in Berkeley for the french teas in the little black tins they carry here. They are so delicious and I haven't found them anywhere else! I have also purchased other unique items here, like a mesh mercado bag with a sequined mary on it that was a huge hit as a gift! read more

One of my favorite stores of all time, browsing is a designer's delight. I love the organic ambience and buying unique items made of natural fibers, ceramics and wood. Lots of linen and cotton, just beautiful. read more

Rude, contemptuous employees. We shop there a lot and I've decided that we will no longer contribute to funding the existence of such individuals. Sad too because we prefer to shop locally. I've never been treated so poorly by a sales associate - all for trying to buy over $300 worth of merchandise. If the owner is reading this, please reconsider the employment of the dark haired young woman with the glasses who works in your 4th street store. She does not deserve a job that requires her to interact with other humans. We have been regularly customers for years and will no longer be until she is no longer employed by your establishment. read more

This year is the BEST in years! I buy most of my presents (year round) at the Gardener and this year I found presents ranging from elegant $7 birds to $20 whimsical cards. The staff was especially helpful in finding presents for young nephews and small things for neighbors. I love seeing the continually-changing displays of housewares, books, and textiles, always providing inspiration. Treat yourself to a trip during the holidays! read more