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 has become a tradition for many families. In addition to the variety of plants and hidden paths you’ll find in the garden, you’ll also find a 34 ton coal hopper from the Seaboard Railroad Company. It was donated in memory of Helen McGill and is not only a conversation piece but a reminder of the beauty she contributed to the area. 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 city park, available for all to enjoy and has welcomed the community to host weddings, photoshoots, baby showers, and various events for years. The small brick building on site is now occupied by Rosie’s Coffee & Wine but has also been home to a variety of businesses including Rosie’s sister company, Nectar, a boutique floral studio. The floral studio was the event management company for McGill from 2007 to 2019. When Nectar moved to Plaza Midwood, Rosie’s Coffee & Wine opened in 2019 and became the new event management company for all rentals in the garden. Rosie’s serves coffee, beer, and wine and has extended the hours of the park for the public to enjoy activities such as trivia, food trucks, and live music.
