Welcome to the Violet Barn!  Not able to visit?  Take this "virtual tour" of our shop and glasshouse.  The photos below are representative of what a visit might be like.

Yes, that's a 100 year-old barn with a rainbow above it!  It sits atop a 600 foot hill overlooking the length of Canandaigua Lake, one of New York's "finger lakes", carved-out by glaciers during the last "ice age".

In front of the barn is a driveway and small parking lot--a total of 5 cars can be accommodated here.  From the driveway is a paved walk that winds around to the right (south) side of the barn to the shop entrance and the lower parking lot.

We live in the upper level of the barn (to the left of the open door).  Our living area was formerly a tool room, our kitchen and bath formerly stalls for small livestock.  Above that are two more rooms, where a hay loft used to be.  All have beautiful views of the lake and surrounding "Bristol hills".

Since moving into the barn in 1992, the business has expanded quite a bit.  In 1997, we added a glasshouse onto the back of the barn, facing the lake.  In 1999, we built the addition you see above, to the left of the barn.  In 2002, we built onto the other (south) end.  In 2005 (after above photo taken), we resided the barn--it now looks "like new" in a light cream/beige color, and not so "rustic" (sorry, but we had to keep the rain and weather out!).

From the front (upper) parking lot, take the sidewalk around to the side of the barn.  There's also a rear (lower) parking lot for those who might not want (or be able) to take the longer walk.  Our van is seen parked there now, since we use this door for loading packages for delivery to the local post office.  Our staff parks in a separate lot (not seen).

The sign on the entrance door.  This is what it says.

Open daily, Noon to 5 pm.  Please read the following before you enter:

1. If there is "DO NOT TOUCH" or "NOT FOR SALE" sign, please do not touch those plants.
2. Try not to pick up plants before you decide what to buy.
3. Place the plants you want to buy on the front counter.
4. Do not move plants around.
5. If you are "just looking", use your eyes, not your hands.
6. Please do not walk through aisles wearing large overcoats and handbags.

The "Violet Barn" is the home of www.violetbarn.com and Rob's Violets.  We specialize in 'hard to find' varieties of African violets and other houseplants.  What you are about to see is not only our retail shop but also a growing area.  80% of our business is done by mail orders and some of the plants may already be sold to our mail order customers.  We work very hard to provide a nice place and the best plants.  Following the above instructions can help us minimize the potential for spreading pests and disease.  It will also help us keep our place and plants looking their best.  Thanks for your help and you are always welcome to visit.  Ralph and Olive Ma Robinson, Owners of the Violet Barn.

After going through the door, you'll enter a small room.  It was one of the rooms we added to the barn in the summer of 2002.  The room serves a number of purposes: as a coat room, a buffer between the shop and the cold outside air, and as a "welcome" area for our visitors.  It's a very bright room, with a full-glass door and large window facing south, another window high in the east wall, plenty of artificial light, and a 20-foot high ceiling.

Looking ahead and to the right, you'll see a 3-shelf light stand holding episcias, begonias, and "sale" violets (photo at far left).  Turning to your right, you'll see some of the awards that we've chosen to display.  On the bottom is our "silver", and on top are hand-painted china (more awards) and rosettes.  In between, of course, are more plants! 

Turn further to the right, looking just to the left of the door you came through, is Begonia 'Shamus', one of our larger plants at about 36" in diameter.  It sits in front of a south window (the overhang of roof outside keeps intense sun off of it).  Hoyas hang above it, and smaller plants share the shelf beside it.  Beneath 'Shamus'  are more begonias, grown under lights (not shown).  This photo was taken at night, since it's much too bright during daytime.

Before entering the shop, look up!  We grow a number of large ferns and other plants on the balcony above the shop entrance.  Hanging beneath the balcony are even more plants--in this case, hanging baskets of columnea, nematanthus, episcia, hoyas, and more.

Looking into the shop from the entrance, you'll first see our front counter.  Beneath the counter are various glazed pots for sale and, above it, are often hung plants.

There are two registers (for when it's busy and we need to "check out" more than one customer) and all the necessary packing supplies are stored behind/beneath it.  The two "posts" you see are original timbers salvaged from the barn.

Upon entering, Rob, Olive, or one of our staff, will greet you and ask whether you've visited before.  You'll be told what kinds of plants we grow, were they can be found, and also what is not for sale. 

The first place you'll be directed to is the "show room" where mature, fully-grown, plants are displayed.  Though these plants aren't for sale, they'll give you an idea of what the plants you purchase can look like when "grown up". 

This room was built in 2002, and also includes a "library" and reading area (the counter seen extending into the room, behind which is a stool).  Reference books on any of the plants we grow can be used, with permission, and a small computer is available for viewing the web-site or using the AVSA 'First Class' program.  A current copy of the African Violet Magazine is always available.  In practice, this 'reading' area is more often used by our plant inspector (to write documents for international shipments) and job applicants (when hiring).

Entering the room and looking to your right (photo at left) you'll see the west-facing window, in front of which are mature specimens of many of the 'miniature' houseplants that we grow and sell. Beneath those are two lighted shelves usually containing miniature violets that Rob is growing for upcoming shows. 

In the corner, in far right of photo, is a glass case (viewed from above) where violet and gesneriad-themed jewelry is displayed.
 

Photo at left shows a closer view of these houseplants.  Some are grown as small 'bonsai' subjects, some as shrubs, some as ground-covers, and a few as 'topiary'!  The middle photo is of the south-facing wall.  Most of the plants on the counter are mature specimens of many of the begonias we sell, with taller-growing plants behind them (on the windowsills) such as jasmine and kohleria.  The photo at right shows a closer view.  Beneath the counter, under lights, are more begonias.  Of course, hanging in all of the windows are more plants!  We DO grow a large number of our plants in windows!

At left are more begonias, and a 'jewel' orchid in full bloom!  Turning further to your left, are two shelves of episcia under lights.

Another purpose of the room--to show that plants grown under lights (and the lights themselves) can be attractive in the home.  Lights can be attractive as furniture!

By now, Rob, Olive, or one of our staff, has returned to ask if you have any questions or need help.  If one of those "not for sale" plants interested you, we can likely find you one that is. 

As you exit the show room, you'll see the view in the photo at right--one of the many plant stands in the "shop"--our main growing area.

"Click Here" to continue the tour!