It started on a farm that lays just south of the Lake Forest subdivision. It started out mainly as fruit trees. We also raised flowers for the market in St. Louis.
Another anniversary has passed, this one much bigger. The nursery earlier this season celebrated its founding by L.F Dintelmann in 1891, 125 years ago. The business is run now by twin brothers Dale and Dean and their dad, Richard.
"And Chicago, we shipped all the way up to Chicago," Richard chipped in. At 79, he's put a lot of years into the business.
Richard attributed the success of the business to his family and employees.
"I guess it means either we've been doing a good job or people don't realize," he laughed.
We couldn't have been in business this long without good customer loyalty.
Dintelmann's has been in its current location at 1710 Centreville Ave. for more than 40 years. The need for a better location for retail prompted the move into town.
We've seen a lot of people whose kids are coming in now. I remember their parents being here. It makes you feel good when you see that.
Quite a bit has changed in the nursery business since Dintelmann's opened its doors on Centreville Avenue in the 1970s, not to mention since 1891. For one thing, there are a lot more plants.
1973 Dintelmann's relocates to its current address at 1710 Centreville Ave.
But folks in the market for plants can use the Internet to easily research their options, something that previously required a book, magazine or an experienced friend or neighbor.
Perhaps the most constant threat to the success of the nursery is the weather and the economy.
In bad times —whether due to weather or an economic slump — Richard said a lot of plants get left in the ground.
I'm a big believer in shopping at smaller places, like local hardware stores or local lumber stores. Whenever I have the chance, that's where I go. I see a lot of those people do the same thing with us.
The Dintelmanns say what separates their operation from others is the locally-focused customer service they offer.
If they keep that service up, maybe the nursery will be around another 125 years.