Ryan ChartrandTucked away behind local businesses, San Luais Obispo has its own secret garden which few know about. This hidden hideaway is the organic herb shop owned by Cal Poly graduate Kirstin Sherritt.
Located down a small alley off Garden Street, The Secret Garden is an outdoor shop that sells organic herbs, spices, specialty teas and is home to several local plant varieties. Sherritt also sells local artists’ work and other locally produced products.
“Most people are pretty enchanted (when they come to The Secret Garden),” Sherritt said. “The setting is unusual, being outdoors, (and there is) the sensual aspect of being able to open jars and smell things. The herbs are so fresh that a lot of people are surprised.”
The Secret Garden opened in August 2004 and Sherritt, who originally started the business with a partner, said her personal goal was to create a resource for herbal medicine and plants. Sherritt also wanted her store to be a place where people could support local artists and vendors.
Sherritt specializes in herbal medicinal blends that are used to make tea, and also sells organic black, green, red and white loose-leaf teas. All are pesticide-free and sustainable. Customers buy individual types of herbs and spices or Sherritt creates unique blends to treat headaches, hormone imbalance or to relieve stress.
Tinctures, which are alcohol extracts that are slightly more concentrated than the herbs, can be used instead of making tea.
Sherritt said she prefers to take herbs in tea form but many people like tinctures if they “aren’t into the tradition or ceremony of making tea.”
Terri Knowlton, of Paso Robles, is a regular customer who likes to wander in to the shop when she drives down to San Luis Obispo every couple of weeks. She usually purchases tinctures but is considering trying some of the various teas offered.
“I’ve been thinking about getting the bulk tea versus the tea bags because I know that’s so wasteful,” Knowlton said. “This (tea) tastes better anyway.”
The Secret Garden draws in a wide variety of customers, ranging from gardeners, to people who like to use aromatherapy around the house to chefs to people who enjoy cooking at home, Sherritt said.
“I get all ages and both genders,” she said. “There’s no demographic for herbs.”
The only “advertising” Sherritt does is by word of mouth. Once someone discovers the fresh herbs and spices available, they usually become a regular and bring back friends and family members.
Knowlton said she knew the shop was there simply from walking by and seeing the signs. The name of the place drew her in.
“I have the association with the ‘Secret Garden’ thing,” Knowlton said. “I just loved that book as a kid. I identify with that.”
Although she graduated with a degree in literature, Sherritt had lots of experience with all different sides of the herb business, from working at health food stores to herb farms in Central America, before she opened her shop. She said she “fell in love” with the whole idea of herbs.
“This is kind of a dream of mine to make a specific store dedicated to herbs,” Sherritt said. “You see little sections in health food stores and it’s nice that there are resources like that, but it’s really nice to be able to specialize in it because the quality is so great.”
She has not had any formal herb education and considers herself self-taught, but Sherritt said she has had many teachers over the years. Being a retail shop owner has allowed her to meet people who already know how to use herbs and they often share secrets and recipes with each other.
“I love herbs, I love to talk about herbs and I love introducing people to herbs,” said Sherritt, who instructs customers on how to use the products they buy if they do not know already.
Sherritt said she goes through phases when it comes to her own favorite herbs, but right now she enjoys Rhodiola, which grows in a few places including mountaintops. It helps keep a person clear and alert and improves memory and brain function, Sherritt said.
“If you look at it metaphorically, it’s hanging off the mountain cliff getting whipped around, adjusting to different climates and that’s kind of what it does for your body with a focus on the nervous system and the brain,” Sherritt said.
Top-sellers at The Secret Garden include cinnamon and Kava Kava, which is popular among students. Kava Kava can be purchased in powder or root form and is used to relieve stress and anxiety. It also helps a person focus mentally and can reduce pain.
The Secret Garden will soon be moving to a space behind The Gold Concept jewelry store on Higuera Street. Being near the creek will be a more central and pleasant location because people will not have to walk down an alley, Sherritt said. The theme of The Secret Garden will remain the same since it will still be relatively hidden.