About Us

Our Story

The Garden Mill was established in 2005 in historic downtown Chelsea, Michigan -- a community with character, art, culture, and a small town feel. Inspired by their love of nature and gardening, Trinh and Daniel Pifer wanted to create an environment that would complement nature’s beauty. Of equal importance was offering a place that would inspire their two young daughters and welcome others to share their appreciation for nature’s wonders.

Working with family and friends, they restored the grace and character of a historic, 100 year-old, building on Main Street that had several colorful past lives, most notably as the original hardware store in Chelsea. With creative energy and reverence for the past, they salvaged the original hardwood maple floors, the warm brick interior, the front transom windows, and the back shed which still houses a working hand-turned freight elevator.

To bring in garden elements, a custom built pergola was installed under a blue-sky ceiling, and a detailed tree mural branches over the green play grass in the children’s corner. You will feel welcomed by our friendly staff and surrounded by nature with birds chirping in the background, flowers overflowing in buckets, water bubbling in fountains, and garden treasures tucked away in every corner.