GRAPEVINE GARDEN AND FLORAL COMPANY BEGAN AS A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD FLOWER SHOP. TODAY, IT’S RESHAPING STATEN ISLAND’S FLORAL SCENE FLOURISHING INTO A STYLISH, EXPANSIVE DESTINATION WHERE HORTICULTURE MEETS HIGH DESIGN
BY EMMA FLOYD & PHOTOS BY ALEX BARRETO
Grapevine Garden and Floral Company isn’t simply a spot to pick up fresh blooms and bouquets – it’s a full-scale creative hub for botanicals, home décor, and event design. At the center of it all is Dana Montana, a seasoned florist whose eye for aesthetics and business savvy are quickly transforming the once-small neighborhood flower shop into a local garden empire. With over 31 years in the floral industry, Montana’s approach is rooted in both artistry and entrepreneurship. Her background in design – shaped in part by her father’s design firm and honed at Parsons School of Design – gives her work a sharp, editorial eye. Grapevine reflects that sensibility: a curated space where flowers are more than arrangements – they’re installations of color, texture, and narrative.
What sets Grapevine apart is its seamless integration of garden retail, custom floral services, and lifestyle-oriented offerings. Since consolidating her original floral boutique with a neighboring garden center in 2007, Dana has created a hybrid model that blends horticultural expertise with the refinement of interior and event design. Customers can browse seasonal plants, handcrafted gifts, and holiday décor alongside fresh arrangements, all within a thoughtful environment that values service over transaction.
Recently, the Grapevine brand expanded once again – this time with even more room to explore Montana’s vision. That vision took a meaningful step forward in April of last year, when Montana acquired Sam Gregorio’s Florist, a beloved local institution with a decades-long legacy. Rather than let the name disappear with Gregorio’s retirement, Montana folded his business into Grapevine’s growing operation – preserving a trusted name in Staten Island floristry while welcoming his loyal customers into the Grapevine fold.
“Sam built something special,” Montana said. “It felt important to keep that legacy alive, and to make sure his clients knew they were in good hands.”
The expansion brings not just scale, but also the opportunity to deepen Montana’s influence in how the community engages with florals. Her team’s expertise spans everything from large-scale weddings and corporate events to intimate tributes and everyday gestures. Every project reflects a balance of precision and play: the careful engineering of an archway dripping with roses, or a wildflower bouquet that looks as if it were gathered straight from a summer field.
Behind the scenes, the shop’s design ethos is evolving in step with national trends. Monochromatic palettes, minimal compositions, and compact cube arrangements have grown in popularity, signaling a shift toward a more restrained, contemporary sensibility. Grapevine embraces this movement while still honoring timeless floral language. Lush peonies, cascading vines, and wild garden blooms remain staples in wedding bouquets and seasonal centerpieces. The team is versed in not only floral art, but how people want to live and celebrate with flowers.
What makes Montana’s shop unique is how it manages to stay intimate even as it expands. Grapevine remains deeply rooted in the local community, serving generations of customers who rely on the team for life’s most meaningful moments. “We rarely say no to a project,” Montana noted. “If someone comes to us with a vision, we want to help bring it to life.”
That customer-first mindset is central to Grapevine’s identity. “Pure customer satisfaction: that’s really what we’re after,” she added. The team often receives compliments on the longevity of their arrangements, with many lasting two weeks or more. Every order is handled with timeliness, thoughtfulness, and collaboration. Customers are encouraged to be part of the process – whether that means bringing in inspirational photos, describing a mood, or simply trusting the team to interpret their needs.
“We all bring something different to the table,” Montana said of her staff. “Everyone has unique strengths, and together, we really understand this business.” Whether sourcing the newest seasonal plants or mastering a complex design request, the team takes great care at every step. That shared passion translates into an experience that’s as personal as it is professional.
For Montana, the work has never felt like work. “It’s never a job when you love what you do,” she said, and this philosophy radiates throughout the shop. From the hands-on design process to the warm, unhurried atmosphere, there’s a genuine sense of joy behind every bloom.
Looking ahead, Montana is poised to further define what floral retail can be: a place where artistry meets accessibility, and design is as important as botanical knowledge. Her empire doesn’t rely on gimmicks or trends; it’s built on a deep understanding of how flowers shape space, emotion, and memory.
In a city better known for its pizza parlors than peony farms, Grapevine Garden and Floral Company is proving that high-concept floristry not only belongs – it thrives. After three decades in the floral business, Montana has built more than a flower shop. She’s cultivated a living, breathing design enterprise – one rooted in vision, care, and the enduring power of a well-made bouquet.
Grapevine Garden and Floral Company
2018 Richmond Avenue / 718.982.8463 /