By Michele Miller
What’s New Port Richey
A little over 26 years ago, Lisa and Chris Conca made a right off of 19 and found themselves taking a drive along Grand Boulevard in downtown New Port Richey. They were charmed by the neighborhood – the bungalows and cracker houses lining the streets and the old Mediterranean-styled mansions along the river. It was an appealing contrast to the cookie-cutter communities they’d been viewing, and so the Pennsylvanians decided to resettle, upon finding their ideal spot after some years living in Pinellas County.
“What lured us to this area was the Cotee River,” said Lisa, a former caregiver and dental technician. “I’ll never forget my first ride along the Cotee River. It was before they put the seawall up. It was like a hidden gem. I kept thinking, ‘How did we not see this before?’
Their homestead is in what many would call a “real Florida” setting with a river across the street and a golf cart in the alley that makes for an easy ride downtown. The beauty of the river and the surrounding wetland, unfortunately, breeds pesky mosquitoes that drive you indoors when you’d rather be out in the backyard enjoying a beverage and good conversation or tending the garden.
Lisa started researching and experimenting with plants known to deter mosquitoes.
“Gardening is just something I enjoy,” she said. “I’m learning what works here in Florida. It’s just been a real process.”
She started with citronella, but didn’t like the unwieldy look of it or the smell of it
“Then I discovered lemon grass. It looks pretty, so I planted it outside the patio, but it wasn’t doing anything for the mosquitoes. I dived a little deeper and that’s when I learned you need to bruise the lemongrass to let the oil out.”
It took about a year of experimenting with different natural additives and fermentation times before Lisa came up with a tincture that was working. She and Chris would use it when they were outside and often offered a spray to family and friends visiting from out of town.
They told her she should bottle and sell it.
So came the birth of Bugtanical, an all-natural mosquito repellent that has led to the start of a new business, called Grand Botanicals, and a variety of sister products, including body lotions, sunscreens, lip balm, candles, and incense.
The Concas first started selling their products at the First Friday Markets in Tarpon Springs. These days, you can purchase products online via the Grand Botanicals website or find them at the counter at Landscape Creations on Plathe Road in New Port Richey and Growing Together Plant Company on Main Street in downtown New Port Richey. She is also venturing into the wedding favor market, offering personalized options that might be useful for outdoor venues.
“People are looking for all-natural things, and we should all be mindful of what is put on our skin is our biggest organ,” Lisa said, noting that she has gotten good feedback and repeat customers.
That makes for a warmhearted feeling, she says. “It’s like sharing your cookies with somebody.”
For more information or to order products, visit www.grandbotanicals.com. Follow on Facebook and Instagram
