Talking Shop With Greg Salmeri
Rolling Greens
Your shop has been a fixture in Culver City and in L.A.’s Beverly Grove neighborhood for many years now. Why open a new location in the Arts District?
I’ve lived downtown for nearly a decade, and I’ve watched the explosive growth and change for the last few years. Rolling Greens has always been about a respite from city life, so when an opportunity to create a green space on an antiquated, 2-acre salvage yard came our way, we jumped.
Tell us about the site.
I immediately loved it because of the existing structures and the fact that there was a large yard area to play in. The basic structural forms were left in place so the history of the site isn’t overlooked, but their functionality had to be completely re-examined.
What can visitors expect?
The new store, designed by architect Rocky Rockefeller, is a comfortable marriage of our two existing locations, with large greenhouses, our Arrangement Bar, a furniture showroom and an amazing outdoor plant and container selection.
How does this location differ?
We have a few surprises: event space, food and beverage, a design room, a fresh-cut floral bar and a wealth of new product. During our travels, we’ve been inspired by the brilliance of Paris, the talent of the Dutch and the Belgians, and how Morocco mesmerizes. The downtown space reflects that for an all-new Rolling Greens experience.
