Lucina furniture store at Serin Tagaytay and Nuvali Solenad 3

The Lucina store at Ayala Mall's Serin in Tagaytay.

Aside from furniture, they also sell paintings, lighting fixtures, and other home accessories.

Lucina’s furniture design concept includes some European-inspired pieces using Filipino craftsmanship.  When I first wrote a news feature on Lucina in 2013, they just opened their first store located at the second floor of Greenfield’s Paseo de Sta. Rosa mall in Laguna:

http://business.inquirer.net/104497/lucina-and-a-little-french-country

Eventually, they moved to the ground floor of the same mall and then to another location along the Sta. Rosa – Tagaytay Highway.  At the highway, the store had a few quaint windows that attracted motorists.  Not long after that, business partners Joel Salazar and Paul Baes opened at Ayala Mall’s Serin in Tagaytay.

In the Inquirer article published a few years ago, Paul Baes shared some business advice to budding entrepreneurs:  “The second floor is not always the best space to rent.  It’s hard to ask people to come up,” he said.

At their Serin Mall location, Lucina is spotted at the ground floor and very visible to incoming shoppers.

However, Lucina was spotted again at the second floor of Nuvali Solenad 3 and seemed to have been grouped with other stores selling home interiors.

Perhaps, after establishing a name for themselves, their unique furniture ideas will still attract customers who wouldn't mind going up a few steps.

Gourmet Farms stays organic after 28 years

Back in the eighties when the Sta. Rosa highway was not yet built, travelers to Tagaytay would often come across this quaint log cabin along Km. 52 Aguinaldo Highway.  Amidst the rustic ambiance and cozy weather, diners managed to enjoy some fresh greens, gourmet dishes, and freshly brewed coffee.  The restaurant was small enough to feel like one was entering a home.

As demand grew, a bigger restaurant behind the log cabin was built.  At present, the former log cabin is now a country store while the bigger restaurant has been renovated with a Mediterranean façade.  After 28 years, Gourmet Farms is also managing an organic farm behind the big restaurant.  

The farm also includes a place for meditation and rest known as St. Joseph’s Sanctuary.  St. Joseph is the husband of the Virgin Mary who was described as a silent worker.  The place promotes activities that advocate solitude.  

Gourmet Farms is known for its fresh greens straight from the farm.  It is one of the reasons to visit especially as the restaurant offers a daily salad bar.

There are also various organic coffee blends to choose from.

By April 2015, Gourmet Farms celebrates 28 years. Through scientific study, trial and error over the years, the farm has developed its organic farming techniques.  For example, the dancing lady orchids are planted abundantly in the farm and are used to attract pests away from the vegetable produce.