Smith family’s fourth-generation craftsmanship blossoms into a new community space on Route 9 in Wilton.

WILTON, N.Y. — For two years, a striking timber-framed building has been rising on Route 9 in Wilton, sparking curiosity across Saratoga County. That building is now Canopy — a new greenhouse café, boutique garden center, and community destination from the Smith family of Mandy’s Spring Nursery in Granville, N.Y. Rooted in four generations of craftsmanship and horticultural excellence, Canopy brings together Saratoga and Granville’s rich farmland traditions under one roof.

Todd Smith, who grew up in Wilton and graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1987, founded Mandy’s Spring Nursery more than 30 years ago with his Australian wife, Leonie. Today, the nursery is known for its landscape design, garden center, florist, and its event barn, Gables & Gardens, where the family hosts almost 40 weddings each year amid spring-fed ponds and weeping willows. With Canopy, Todd, Leonie, and their children are returning to Saratoga County to create a space that celebrates both their craftsmanship and their community roots.

“We wanted to create something that feels timeless yet transparent — where people can see life and activity inside,” said Todd Smith. “It’s a space that connects people to nature and to one another.”

Designed initially by Susan and Donald Davis of SD Atelier in Saratoga Springs and refined by James “Jace” Brown of Beardsley Architects + Engineers, the 9,000-square-foot structure was handcrafted by the Smith family themselves. Among its distinctive details — massive beams, nature-etched steel connectors, and a copper-roofed cupola — the latter was designed by Todd and Leonie’s son, Ford, and built by his grandfather, Peter Smith. “I’m not an artsy guy,” Peter, 85, joked. “A cupola didn’t feel like part of the critical path to opening. But then one day the lumber showed up, and I built it anyway. Now it’s my favorite part.”

Inside, Canopy as a whole blends design, craft, and hospitality, uniting retail, horticulture, and food experiences under one roof. Inside the Greenhouse Café at Canopy — a cozy, light-filled space surrounded by greenery — guests can enjoy coffee, pastries, and explore a curated mix of home goods, indoor plants, and seasonal poinsettias. The interiors and guest experience were shaped by a diverse leadership team: Todd, Leonie, and Ford Smith; Director of Store Operations David Garvoille; Finance and Business Strategy Manager Alicia Waller; Florist Manager Jess VanDerKern, whose experience running her own retail shop in New Hampshire brings valuable perspective; and Café and Culinary Manager Lauren Sleicher, a graduate of SUNY Adirondack’s Culinary Arts program. Together, they’ve created a space that feels both refined and welcoming. “We wanted it to feel grounded and personal — a place where people instantly feel at home,” Leonie said.

As Canopy opens its doors for the first time, the Smith family is celebrating with a month-long Holiday Market that captures the spirit of the season. Beginning November 18 and running through December 24, the market will feature local vendors from across Saratoga and Washington Counties offering handmade wreaths, candles, soaps, ornaments, ceramics, baked goods, and more.

The soft opening celebration will take place on Tuesday, November 18, inviting the community to experience the new space:

•          12:00 p.m. – Official Public Opening

•          5:00 p.m. – Christmas Tree Lighting with free hot cider and cookies. The 16-foot living tree will be raffled off and planted in the winner’s yard or donated to a local park or charitable organization (raffle tickets included with every store purchase).

Following the soft opening, Canopy will operate on its regular schedule, with the Holiday Market hosting a daily rotation of local vendors and artisans during the same hours:

•          Tuesday–Thursday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.;   Friday–Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.;             Sunday: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.; Closed Mondays.

As Saratoga’s newest destination, Canopy is both a tribute to the region’s natural beauty and a model for local entrepreneurship. “Our goal is to be part of the fabric of upstate life — rooted here, welcoming everyone, and built to last,” Todd said.

About Canopy

Canopy of Saratoga is a family-built destination blending coffee, plants, and artisan goods. Designed and handcrafted by the Smith family — fourth-generation farmers and owners of Mandy’s Spring Nursery in Granville — Canopy represents the family’s next chapter, bringing their legacy of craftsmanship to Saratoga. The café and market celebrate local creativity and connection, offering a welcoming space where community takes root.