Learn About the Owner
Since birth, Ryan Riley has been a La Grange native and an entrepreneur for almost as long! After high school, he started a lawn care and landscaping business in La Grange, but he wasn’t done helping his fellow citizens.
Two years after starting the landscaping business, he was accepted into the North Carolina Highway Patrol Academy. He spent 8 months in basic training. After 3 years as a Trooper in Pamlico County, here transferred to Lenoir County, serving 7 years as a Trooper.
After transferring back into the La Grange area, he started his second business called Riley Pressure Washing.
He then bought out his uncle’s landscaping business, looking to expand his lawn care and landscaping business, creating Riley Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance in 2017. After serving as a Trooper for 10 years, and his businesses growing, Ryan took an honorable discharge from the Highway Patrol to pursue his passion for business and entrepreneurship.
In 2020, Ryan was approached about purchasing the old service station at 405 East Washington Street. Knowing he needed more space to make his idea a reality, he bought land behind the building to expand.
The Riley’s Southern Goods & Gardens location has been completely rebuilt and custom-designed to create Ryan’s vision of a destination for people in La Grange and the surrounding communities to gather and enjoy their families.
Even with 3 growing businesses, Ryan is still serving his community. He is currently the Fire Chief of the La Grange Fire Department.
Ryan Riley is a La Grange native and entrepreneur who has started multiple businesses from landscaping and pressure washing to where we are today: a men’s/women’s boutique which includes a variety of clothing, grilling supplies, jewelry, headwear, eyewear, lovely gifts, a complete garden center with a large selection of flowers, plants, trees, mulch, rock, topsoil and so much more.
Don’t forget about the on-site Ice Cream and Coffee Shoppe called Ava Rea’s, named after his two daughters Ava & Reagan, where you will find a full selection of cold brew coffee along with hot and specialty drinks.
Come check out our large outdoor sitting area beneath a pergola equipped with fans and lighting. or relax on our comfortable swings, tables, and chairs to enjoy the nice weather.
