All The Buzz At McBee's Gardens

If you’re looking in from the driveway at 222 Lambtown Road you’d never expect the tranquil, tree-lined property to have a backyard abloom and abuzz with new business opportunities for local business owners and entrepreneurs.

An open house at The Gardens at 222, marked the grand opening and celebration of another home based business in Ledyard.

The gardens are cultivated by Sally McBee, who opend the backyard business with the support of friends, neighbors and business associates who were impressed by her green thumb and elegant landscaping.

McBee said she has all the necessary permits and insurance and is getting marketing material together. A small, catered networking party was her way of getting the word out.

Caterers, photogrphers, friends, and business associates were invited to enjoy the grounds, network and presumeably, pass the word on.

Chaz Zazulka, a justice of the peace in Mystic, said "the gardens are a perfect location for a small wedding," which is one of the many visions McBee has for the spot.

She said that the gardens and the yard are suitable for any event from a small wedding to large brunches.

Allison Blaine, of Ocassion Ally, a catering company in Stonington, said she caters events all over the area and McBee's gardens are unique.

"It's an absolutely beautfiul set up for people," she said of the location. "There are so many nooks and crannies and so many intimate spots for people to gather."

Randy Dalton, the building official for the Town of Ledyard said there were 45 permits issued in 2011 for home based businesses and 10 have been issued so far this year. Without integrating the tax assessors information with the building department he said it would be difficult to identify any upward or downward trends among the home-based occupations.