Leaf, Stone and Steel - Where artists & nature meet

Story and Photos by Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

Grand Island gained a creative and unique shopping experience when the new store Leaf, Stone and Steel had its grand opening last month.

Owners Sarah Sokody and her daughter, Carmen, are confident women who aim to carve their own niche in the community’s retail sector.

Sarah describes the store, at 1939 Grand Island Blvd., as a plant and artisan shop. It was transformed from what was a mechanic’s garage into a showplace for beauty from nature and that which is created by artists.

The business offers a marketing opportunity for those who create arts in many genres. It gives budding artists a chance to bloom, just like the wide variety of plants for sale that adorn the shelves of the store. The business also gives seasoned artists a bridge to connect with customers who have an eye for excellence.

“We have local artists, we have artists with ceramics and water color, we have chain saw art,” Sarah said.

The shop’s price range can accommodate those on a shoestring budget, but also can suit the corporate office that is seeking a unique décor or to meet the goals of the serious art collector.

Metal fabrication isn’t always associated with art, but at Leaf, Stone and Steel, building stuff – big artistic creations – is what puts the “steel” in the name of the business. One-of-a-kind artwork is created on commission by staffers Jon MacNeil and Doug Parker to suit the individual customer’s taste. This includes custom wood and metal furniture with an artistic flair, crafted in the in-house woodworking and steel working shop.

There’s even potential to develop new artists within the community, through education by the experts at the Sokody’s store.

“We do eventually want to hold classes – plant classes, paint night, ceramics,” Sarah Sokody said. Both art and yoga classes are being considered to take place within a space that welcomes creativity. The community would be encouraged to come into their store and work alongside local artists and instructors.

Carmen Sokody has carved her own niche within the business – plants and crystals are her thing. She attends SUNY Niagara for horticulture, and definitely has a way with plants and art, and sources and imports crystals from around the world to place in the shop.

The building in front of Leaf, Stone and Steel is the office of the Sokody Sales Team of licensed real estate agents, headed by Sarah’s husband, Jason.

“I don’t think there’s another shop that encompasses everything we do,” Jason remarked. “I think we’re the biggest one-stop shop to have all of these things under one roof in Western New York.”

From left, Sarah Sokody and her daughter, Carmen, are co-owners of Leaf, Stone and Steel, a plant and artisan shop at 1939 Grand Island Blvd.

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When Chamber of Commerce President Eric Fiebelkorn mentioned the store could be a part of Small Business Saturday, Jason said he and his family business partners will “do anything we can to help boost Grand Island.”

“We all graduated from here,” Jason continued.

“Sarah and I have been together since 15 years old when I met her in the math hallway,” he quipped.

When the topic of the holiday shopping season came up at the store’s ribbon-cutting event, Jason mentioned the possibilities.

“This, I think, is going to be especially great for the Christmastime, Valentine’s – any type of things when people really look for something special, unique, that is completely different from anybody else locally. A majority of our business is sourced from local artisans, but we have things from all across America,” he said.

Sarah explained how they came up with the idea for the store.

“We had the space, with an old garage. My husband actually came up with the idea,” she said. “I’m a big plant enthusiast – I’ve always have been. Carmen was going to school for horticulture and it was kind of like, ‘Hey, let’s give this a shot.’ ”

Sarah said they had the space and the knowledge to bring their idea to fruition. Over the course of a year, plans evolved, and artists were sought and encouraged to come on board.

Carmen said, “They either reached out to us or we found them through, like, Allentown Art Festival – things like that.”

She said she and her mom – owners and operators of the business – communicate with all the artists: “We decide what we want to have in stock and what we think would be popular.” The business partners are also artists, themselves.

Carmen does “bone art” from ethically sourced animal bone, and adds natural material such as moss, crystals and recycled wood.

Sarah, a former teacher, creates moss “walls,” artistic pieces, some quite large, that can decorate home or office. One recent commission incorporates a company’s logo into a work of art.

Sarah compared the combination of artisans and the variety of plants to a prominent online marketplace: “It’s like an Etsy that you walk into.”

Find out more about Leaf, Stone and Steel online at https://leafstoneandsteel.com/; on Facebook or Instagram; or by phone at 716-453-1488.

The staff of Leaf, Stone & Steel, shown near the business sign inside the spacious new plant and artisan shop at 1939 Grand Island Blvd. From left: Jason Sokody, who heads the Sokody Sales Team of licensed real estate agents; co-owners and operators, Carmen Sokody and Sarah Sokody; staffer Olivia Sentz; Cheryl and Ken Sokody, Jason’s parents; and staffers Jon MacNeil and Doug Parker. (Photo by Karen Carr Keefe)