BERLIN – Kensington Garden Center, 398 Chamberlain Highway, is closing its doors and is currently on the market.

“It’s closing and up for sale,” said Alan Ellison, owner, Monday.

The family-owned and operated center and attached gift shop usually closes for the winter and opens back up for summer. 

Ellison confirmed Monday the business is permanently closing.

The garden center sold garden supplies, home decor and gifts for more than five years, as well as hosted events and workshops. 

In the winter of 2015 into 2016, the center was served a cease and desist order by town zoning enforcement for running a gift shop at the site.

The property is zoned for residential use, R-21. The garden center was allowed to sell garden-related items. After months of deliberations with the planning and zoning commission, the center was granted permission to sell a specific list of items and keep the gift shop open.

“I would love to see a similar use on the property,” said Chris Edge, economic development director for the town. 

He said there has been recent discussions about zoning for future use. The property has not yet sold and is currently being handled by a real estate agent.

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