Our History

then…

Henry McGill purchased the Avant Fuel & Ice Company in 1950. In an attempt to beautify the urban and industrial plot of land, Henry’s wife Helen shared her love for gardening and started planting rose bushes along the fence line. 

Over the years, more than 500 rose bushes were planted and the garden became a spectacle to behold. 

On Mother’s Day, 1967, the McGill Rose Garden opened to the public as a space for the community to enjoy the roses, greenery, and nature in an otherwise urban area. To this day, Mother’s Day is still a popular day for the community to visit and enjoy the spring blooms.

In 1976, the Avant Fuel & Ice Company closed its doors and the garden was sold to the City of Charlotte. The McGill Rose Garden then became a public park, still available for all to enjoy. 

In addition to the variety of plants and hidden paths you’ll find in the garden, you’ll also spot a large train car parked right in the middle. The Seaboard Railroad Company donated the 34-ton coal hopper, in memory of Helen McGill. The train car is a staple, a conversation piece, and a reminder of the beauty she contributed to the area. ⁠

now…

The McGill Rose Garden has welcomed the community and hosted weddings, events, photoshoots, baby showers, and so much more for years. The little brick building on site has also been home to a variety of businesses including the flower shop Nectar, now located in Plaza Midwood, and most recently the popular coffee and wine bar, Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden.

Rosie's Coffee & Wine Garden opened in 2019 serving wine by the glass and by the bottle, and now has grown to serve coffee! You can sip your coffee or wine under the twinkle lights and explore the paths of the garden. It's also a classic Charlotte date night spot, so we hear.

The McGill Rose Garden is still a busy place these days! From weddings and events, to date nights, and non-profit gatherings. Even in the winter months, we see people bundle up to sit by a fire pit to enjoy a glass of wine or hot chocolate.

We've seen first dates, proposals, elopements, weddings, baby showers, parties, and just wonderful people stopping by to enjoy the roses. To this day there is still lots of love and joy growing here in the garden, and it all started with some rose bushes.