Plant sales and workshops will continue at Café on George
STEPS Garden Centre will close on 30 October 2026 after years of plant sales, workshops, volunteer work and community events.
The closure ends an established part of STEPS Social Business, but the organisation plans to keep gardening and learning programs running.
After the site shuts, STEPS will continue plant sales at Café on George. It will also keep offering horticulture training opportunities and start a new program of workshops.
Stephanie Patey, chief executive of STEPS Social Business, said the decision would disappoint many people in the community.
“We know this news will be disappointing for many people, and we share those feelings,” Mrs Patey said.
She said the garden centre had become more than a retail outlet because people used it to learn, contribute and connect with others.
According to STEPS, that work helped create a sense of belonging for visitors, volunteers and supporters over the years.
Café on George precinct plans
Looking ahead, STEPS plans to develop Café on George as the heart of a food, garden and community precinct.
That shift means the café will carry more of the organisation’s gardening, learning and community activity after 30 October 2026.
Meanwhile, STEPS is encouraging community members to visit the garden centre before it closes. Customers can buy plants and gardening supplies, see familiar staff and volunteers, and stay for coffee or lunch at Café on George.
Mrs Patey thanked community members, customers, volunteers and supporters who had been part of the garden centre’s journey.
“Every purchase, visit and contribution has helped support our social enterprise and create opportunities that have made a meaningful difference in the lives of young people with disability and autism,” she said.
STEPS did not give a reason for the closure or say when the expanded workshop program would begin.
