MOUNT VERNON — The doors will be closing soon on a longtime greenhouse business in Mount Vernon.
Glass Garden Greenhouse, at 1104 W. Gambier St., a local supplier of lawn and garden supplies will be going out of business sometime in October, according to manager and owner Fred Forster. “I’m not sure of an exact closing date,” said Forster. “We’ll just see what happens, but it will be sometime in October.”
Forster bought the business along with his brother, Al, from Ed Miller in January 1988 after working at Conley’s discount store. “I’ll soon be 65, and I thought it was time to retire. The economy is slowing, and we recently saw a 20 percent drop in business since May,” said Forster when asked about his reason for closing the business. “I think it was a combination of the economy plus the wet weather we had this past May is why things have been so slow.”
As far as the property and the building are concerned, Forster is unsure of what may happen with them. “I’m just going to take it one day at a time and see what happens,” he said.
He plans to sell the current supply of plants down and encourages those with gift certificates to redeem them.
“Our goal is service, selection and satisfaction,” he said.
Six family members are currently employed at Glass Garden, but the staff would swell to as many as 30 in the spring.
“Right now I just plan to retire,” said Forster when asked about his future plans. “I will take some time to visit my family and may try to do some volunteer work.”
Throughout the decision process, Forster said he has always been grateful for the customers that have walked through the doors of the greenhouse.
“I do want to thank all our customers for their loyalty over the past 23 years,” added Forster.