James Gardner On His Mindful Evolution And Journey To Gitano
Summary
There are hot pink neon accents, imported mezcal, a gigantic disco ball, and a reflective pool area filled with beds and teepees for group meditation. On a recent Saturday night at the Garden of Love, which stays open from May through October, legions of beautiful people lined up outside, waiting to bask in New York’s closest version of a beachside paradise more commonly found in Mallorca or Mykonos. It’s eclectic, free and creative and resonates with a cool crew of people.” Gitano’s original outpost, which Gardner opened in 2013 after leaving CreateThe Group, came at a time when his fellow fashion influencers were already heading to the free-spirited beach town. “Having never worked in New York hospitality, I had a beginner’s mind,” says Gardner, whose Garden of Love was recently awarded an A from the Department of Health - no small feat for a tropical oasis in the center of the city. That might mean a community guided meditation program by the reflective pool, a platform to educate public school children through an urban farming project, or a partnership with clean energy innovator SmartFlower Solar.