Leaf, Stone and Steel makes debut: Shop features artisan works, plants, crystals

By Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

A ribbon-cutting ceremony launched a new and unique Grand Island business Wednesday.

Leaf, Stone and Steel sells familiar and exotic house plants, crystals from around the world, and wood and steel artwork.

Sarah Sokody and her daughter, Carmen, own the business at 1939 Grand Island Blvd. Their store, along with its wood and steel workshop, is housed in a spacious building with a well-lighted and gracious display space. It features a wide variety of interesting items to enhance a home or provide special gifts for a variety of occasions.

Plant and artisan store Leaf, Stone and Steel has opened at 1939 Grand Island Blvd., under the ownership of Sarah Sokody and her daughter, Carmen. The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the shop on Wednesday. At the event were the owners, staff and family, and members of the Chamber of Commerce. At the center in the photo, from left, are Carmen Sokody (with scissors), and her parents, Sarah and Jason Sokody.

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The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce arranged the ribbon-cutting. President Eric Fiebelkorn introduced the business to the community.

“It’s always nice to see a locally owned small business. Artisan-supported work is super important,” he said. “It’s so great to see women taking charge and doing really great things in our community.”

Sarah Sokody described Leaf, Stone and Steel as a plant and artisan shop. She said the local artists work in media that ranges from ceramics and watercolor to chainsaw art. She noted they plan to eventually offer classes in plants, ceramics, metal fabrication and anything that pertains to the plants and artwork they create or bring from others to their shop.

The prices at the shop can range from a $2 crystal to a work of art that can cost as much as $20,000, said Jason Sokody, Sarah’s husband. His Sokody Sales Team of licensed real estate agents occupies the front building at the address on Grand Island Boulevard.

“We wanted to make sure that, even though it does have that range of prices, everyone can come in here and enjoy it, get a good feeling, and walk out with something for a gift, for their house, or for a birthday,” Jason Sokody said.

Their daughter, Carmen, attends SUNY Niagara for horticulture. Her area of expertise and interest runs the gamut from plants and artwork to crystals.

“The crystals are sourced from all over the world,” she said, and imported to offer their customers on Grand Island.