Our Story

In early 2018, we planted a lavender field at our family farm in New Jersey. Our daughters were still too young for traditional jobs, and we wanted to give them a meaningful way to work, take responsibility, and be part of building something together as a family.

By the summer of 2020, the lavender was in full bloom, and we began welcoming visitors to the farm. As people wandered through the fields, took photographs, and spent time outdoors, we realized they were looking for more than beautiful flowers. They were longing for connection—to nature, to one another, and to experiences that slowed life down.

Our time on the farm taught us far more than how to grow lavender. We developed a deep appreciation for herbs, medicinal plants, honeybees, and the incredible ways God designed the natural world to work together. We discovered that one of our greatest joys was creating spaces where people could gather, learn, create, and simply slow down.

When life brought us to Sanibel Island, we knew we wanted to carry those lessons with us. While we missed the farm, we also fell in love with the beauty, peace, and unique charm of island life.

Serenity on Sanibel is where those two worlds meet. It’s where our farming roots and our love for the island come together.

Our hope is simple: to share what we’ve learned and create a place where people of all ages can grow, create, and connect through nature, creativity, and community.

Sanibel harvest trivia! Can you tell me what herbs you spy? 🤓🔎

SO excited to start our buildout TODAY! 💜 #growcreateconnect #serenityonsanibel #lavender #tea #herbs

Moving right along💜

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 The sweet basil featured in this Caprese Salad is directly from our Sanibel garden. All of our basil plants are loving the heat and humidity that Sanibel summers bring! Our shop opens 4 months from tomorrow 🎉

From Garden to Cup 💜 There’s something really special about enjoying a cup of tea that begins just steps from where it’s grown🌱 The Holy Basil (Tulsi) in this blend is grown right here on Sanibel. I paired it with oat straw, rosehips, hibiscus, nettle, lemon peel, and orange peel to create a richly bright, nutritious and hydrating herbal tea. We’re excited to see what tea blends our customers create! GROW 💜 CREATE 💜 CONNECT

Hi everyone! We wanted to introduce ourselves and say hello ☺️ We’re the family behind Serenity on Sanibel, a new business opening this November at Heart of the Islands Shops on Periwinkle Way (right next to Macintosh Books). Serenity will be a place to slow down and connect—featuring fresh and dried herbs, tea, lavender, handmade products, creative workshops, and more for all ages. Our family previously owned a lavender farm and shop in New Jersey, and we’re excited to bring our love of gardening, creativity, and community to Sanibel. Over the next few months we’ll be sharing our build-out journey, class ideas, product testing, and behind-the-scenes updates as we prepare to open. We’d love to get to know our neighbors. What’s something you’d love to see in a space like this? 💜 Shannon & Gary Serenity on Sanibel Grow • Create • Connect — in Sanibel Island.