Bowmanville garden centre reimagined as year-round gathering space

Aisha Dhalla, the new owner of the former Country Market on Taunton Road in Bowmanville, is reimagining the garden centre as Gardenerette, a year-round community gathering space rather than just a place to buy plants.

Dhalla, who worked in public relations for 20 years before moving to Enniskillen with her partner Aaron Alton in 2022, finalized the purchase of the business in January 2026 after first floating the idea to previous owner Steve Kurhan in May 2025. She is now finishing her first season as owner.

New plans include workshops, talks from experts, a Holiday Artisan Market on November 28 and 29, cross-country skiing on the property's 100 acres of trails in winter, and outdoor evening markets in summer. The centre is at 2535 Taunton Rd., Bowmanville.