ALLENTOWN, PA. — It's the final harvest for Dan Schantz Greenhouse as the local grower is closing for good Saturday after more than 60 years in business.
Many shoppers arrived Wednesday to see what the store had left — some longtime customers coming to see off their favorite greenhouse and others taking advantage of steep discounts.
In its final days, the greenhouse store at 2031 29th St. in Allentown has announced a 50% discount on all flowers, and a 75% discount on all hard goods.
Customers said they were sad to be losing a place for flowers and gifts that, in some cases, they had been buying from for decades.
"It's very sad because it was a go-to place for Easter flowers, poinsettias, summer plantings and things you could always stop in and you could be assured that you'd find what you were looking for," longtime customer Sue Teti said as she entered to see what was left.
Many shelves and displays inside the greenhouse were bare, while others were adorned with remaining vases, pots, decorations and flowers.
Employees expressed sadness over the closure, noting that they had never seen it so empty.
"This has been iconic, this has been in the Valley for so many years, and it's very sad," said one employee, who didn't want her name published but said she has worked there since the Allentown store opened 22 years ago.
Another employee said she knew it would happen eventually, but the closure still came as a shock. She said it was hard not only to see the business go, but also to have the employees lose their jobs just after Christmas.
A note displayed in the greenhouse store from three florists thanked customers and said goodbye, grateful for the connections they have been able to make with their customers.
"We want to express our thanks for allowing us to be part of your most special days," a portion reads.
A WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Notice) notice of impending layoffs was made to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry in October, noting the closure of the business and stating that a total of 120 employees would be affected. That number included Dan Schantz' three properties including its former growing locations at 8025 Spinnerstown Road in Zionsville and 6071 Durham Road in Pipersville.
Poinsettias, kalanchoe, cyclamen, ferns and begonias were the bulk of what was left of flowers Wednesday, along with some herbs and cut bouquets.
Owners hope buyers keep it a greenhouse
Managing partner Patrick Flanley said it was very hard to shut down the business, but that ownership partners have been involved "for well over 40 years" and that it was time for them to move on with people moving past retirement age.
"Saturday will be a sad day," Flanley said. "But things have to progress, and we'll see what happens from there.
"We just hope someone does good, takes it over, because we have many memories of how good the Lehigh Valley has been to us."
The business went up for sale earlier in the year at a listing price of $3.1 million.
The first of the company's greenhouses was completed in 1961 by Dan Schantz, who retired after selling to then-business partner Flanley. In time the company grew to sell products across the Northeast and beyond.
The business focused on a "direct from grower" model of selling plants grown locally in the Lehigh valley.
Flanley said the company is in negotiations with potential buyers who "might hopefully keep it as a greenhouse," but nothing is set in stone.
Flanley said the decision the close in December was due to the need to work down inventories and that winter months traditionally are challenging to growers, with business not picking up again until spring.
"Just my heartfelt thanks to all of our customers," Flanley said. "It's just one of those things that goes, but we'll look forward to see what the next chapter up there will be."
