New Owners Seek Return to ‘Classic Charm’ of Ramsey Nursery

It is hard to drive by the Ramsey Nursery on Franklin Turnpike without noticing that the garden center is back in business. The outdoor shelves are stocked with flowers, ‘Open’ flags are flying at the store’s entrance, and locals are stopping in to see what the new shop has to offer.

For new owner John Occhiuto, he hopes the answer is more of what it always had offered.

Ramsey Nursery, Occhiuto said, first opened in that location over 60 years ago. Former owner Mike Rublino spent decades selling plant and garden goods to the community before retiring two years ago.

The business that replaced Ramsey Nursery initially, Horticulture, was a revamped version of the shop that went out of business at the beginning of this year.

Occhiuto, who has owned the property for two years, says he decided to take over the business so he could return the shop to its roots.

“I changed the name back to ‘Ramsey Nursery,’ and I just want to bring it back to the way it always was,” Occhiuto said.

The 12-year Ramsey resident has business experience in town – he’s owned Totally Tan for 20 years. Now, he says he is venturing into the garden business under the guidance of an old friend.

“I’ve known [Mike Rublino] for years,” he said. “He’s a good friend of mine. It was under his advice and mentoring that I decided to open this shop myself.”

Occhiuto said he decided in February to take over the business because “the timing was right.” Now, his wife, sister, and other family members are helping him run it.

Since its opening on April 20, the owner said the community seems appreciative of the return to the store’s origins.

“Everybody is really excited,” he said. “I’m liking the summer inventory, and I’m really looking forward to the fall, with all of the pumpkins.”

Occhiuto said the plans for the store are simple – to keep it running the same way it did for 60 years.

“It’s a family-operated business. It always has been and that’s how I want to keep it,” he said. “It was always known for having quality merchandise and friendly, helpful customer service. That’s how it’s going to stay.”

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