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Purchasing manager Tristian Barry, left, stands with his siblings Angelica Berkes and Gaige Barry in the Red Barn Garden Center in Leander. (Eddie Harbor / Community Impact Newspaper)
For over 40 years, the Red Barn Garden Center has been a mainstay of the Austin area for residents with lawns or gardens. That year, however, longtime owner Emelie McDaniel sold the company to Kevin Barry, who ran Red Barn for three years before taking the reins.
“You and I talked about it for a while,” said Barry. “Emelie is still with the company as a consultant and is still the face of Red Barn. Moving from the Pond Springs location to [Leander] was very tough. Together with the pandemic, it was a damned couple of years. “
Two years ago Red Barn moved to its current location in Leander on Baghdad Road north of Hero Way, after years in Austin, most recently on Pond Springs Road. Although the locations have changed over the years, the Red Barn staff still strive to provide excellent customer service.
Red Barn’s Purchasing Manager, Tristian Barry, Barry’s son, helps ensure that Leander residents have practical gardening solutions that suit the local climate.
“I have nothing against the big retailers,” said Tristian, “but I think we have a much better sense of what people are after. We may not have the largest team, but we have the strength and energy to stand behind our customers. “
This energy and effort is manifested in the bespoke approach that Red Barn takes with its clientele.
“Most companies are so focused on sales and profits that they lose sight of the most important thing, and that is the people,” said Kevin Barry. “Customer service, product quality and ensuring a good shopping experience for the customer. And it’s really that simple. “
In the center of the garden center is the large indoor plant enclosure, in which there is a large selection of indoor-friendly varieties and a selection of smaller ceramic pots. Most plant varieties also have an easy-to-read map that lists the plant’s needs for light, temperature, watering, potential size, and other details.
To the left of the entrance gate are rows of edible plants that are geared towards the current season. As autumn draws to a close and the cool season begins, there are mostly leafy vegetables – lettuce, cabbage, kale – as well as Asian vegetables and a variety of strawberries called delizz.
“A lot of people think that strawberries don’t do well here, but if you care for them properly they will work well,” Tristian said.
In addition to his father, Tristian also has his sister Angelica Berkes and the brothers Cannen and Gaige Barry, who work with them at Red Barn. For Tristian, his start in the horticultural industry wasn’t just a family, it literally started at home. His first job was packing bulbs in the family garage as part of Kevin Barry’s former fulfillment business.
“Horticulture is just something I’ve always had an affinity for,” said Tristian. “I know I wouldn’t be where I am without it [my father]. “
Red Barn garden center
690A N. Baghdad Road, Leander
512-335-8093
www.redbarngardencenter.net
Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sat 9 am-5pm
Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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https://communityimpact.com/austin/cedar-park-leander/business/2021/11/08/red-barn-garden-center-helps-keep-leander-green/
