“We Bloom Wherever We’re Planted”: Jersey Woman Transforms Abandoned Police Kiosk into a Thriving Plant Nursery

A powerful story of growth—both botanical and personal—is taking root in Jersey City. As reported by ABC7 New York, a local entrepreneur has turned an abandoned police kiosk into a lush, community-centered plant haven.

Meet Shayla Cabrera, the creative mind behind Tia Planta, a plant shop and educational hub she launched during the pandemic. What began as a small passion project born out of quarantine isolation has blossomed—literally—into a thriving business that encourages others to nurture their own green spaces.

“I used to be a career nanny working for celebrities, athletes, and politicians,” Cabrera shared in an interview with ABC7 NY. “When quarantine started, I was surrounded by my massive collection of over 200 plants. I kept wondering, how could I share everything I’ve learned about plant care? So I began making videos and posting them on Instagram and TikTok.”

Those videos quickly gained traction online, earning Cabrera a loyal following and turning her into something of a “plant influencer.” Soon after, she began organizing pop-up shops across New Jersey, selling plants and offering personalized consultations. According to NJ.com, her approachable style and deep plant knowledge resonated with locals seeking calm and purpose during uncertain times (source: NJ.com).

But Cabrera’s biggest transformation came when city officials reached out with a unique proposal: to repurpose an unused police outpost in McGinley Square into a greenhouse.

“This space had been sitting empty for about 25 years,” Cabrera said. “It was once a police post, but it was abandoned and forgotten. When the city approached me about transforming it, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to bring new life—literally—into the neighborhood.”

Now, the 150-square-foot kiosk at 722 Montgomery Street has been reborn as a vibrant mini-jungle. Inside, visitors can find everything from hardy succulents and cacti to rare tropical varieties. Each plant is hand-selected and nursed back to health by Cabrera herself before being sold or gifted to community members.

Photos shared on her Instagram show rows of vivid greenery spilling from the small space, with residents often stopping by just to admire or chat. “The transformation has been incredible,” said one local resident to The Jersey Journal, describing the kiosk as “a symbol of growth and positivity in the heart of the city” (source: The Jersey Journal).

But for Cabrera, the mission extends beyond business. “We want everyone to grow alongside their plants—to find peace and purpose in caring for them,” she said. “Tia Planta is here to teach, inspire, and guide people through that process.”

Her story has since inspired plant lovers beyond New Jersey, with social media users from across the country cheering on her creative reuse of public space. Environmental advocates have even praised her project as an example of how cities can reimagine abandoned structures for sustainability and community engagement (source: Green Matters).

From caring for over 200 plants in her apartment to creating a green refuge for an entire neighborhood, Shayla Cabrera’s journey embodies her own motto: We bloom wherever we’re planted.

Congratulations, Shayla! 🌿