Commack Grad Opens Garden Center at Former Ford Dealership

Business is blooming at the former Ford dealership on Jericho Turnpike in Commack, as a new garden center adds color to the lot.

Jaclyn’s Garden, located at 6233 Jericho Turnpike, moved into the lot of the former dealership two weeks ago from its Copiague location, and will be open until November.  

Owner Donnie Mace, who is a Commack High School graduate, named after his wife, Jaclyn.  

Mace said that 80 percent of the store’s inventory is Long Island-grown, mainly from the Jamesport area. The rest comes from Southern New Jersey. “Everything is acclimated,” he said, which allows for the plants to last season after season.  

Some of the store’s best sellers include germaniums, hydrangeas, azaleas and especially perennials. Jaclyn’s Garden features 140 varieties of perennials. Hanging baskets, trays and a variety of trees and shrubs are also popular.  

In addition to flowers, the garden also sells homegrown vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, collard greens, spinach, onions, garlic, asparagus, cucumbers and herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, dill and more.  

Mace said that business is picking up every day, especially as more people are opting to stay home for spring and summer breaks instead of taking a big vacation.  

“People aren’t going away as much, so you make the house look beautiful and turn it into a summer retreat,” he said.  

The store is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.