LOWER MILFORD TWP., Pa. — The former Dan Schantz farm and greenhouse complex may be turning a new leaf, as it was sold for $4.5 million in an auction Wednesday.
The former greenhouse and wholesale outlet at 8025 Spinnerstown Road, Zionsville, became available after the company went out of business late last year.
Max Spann of Max Spann Auctions, who oversaw the sale, said the identity of the auction winner is not yet public, but the sale would be closed within 50 days.
He said the new owners are professional greenhouse operators, and that, because of legal easements, it would be difficult to do anything else on that property.
Advertised as a "major greenhouse operation on 95+/- acres of preserved farmland" with 16 acres under glass, the facilities also include production, warehousing, equipment storage capabilities.
Local business closed after 60 years
Dan Schantz Greenhouse closed in December after more than 60 years of business in the Lehigh Valley.
The popular greenhouse and cut flower outlet at 2031 29th St., Allentown, just off of Route 78, has since been taken over by Lancaster-based Herr's Fruit Farm as a greenhouse and farm market.
The first of the company's greenhouses was completed in 1961 by Dan Schantz, who retired after selling to then-business partner Patrick Flanley. Thecompany grew to sell products across the Northeast and beyond.
The two-acre property sold for $1.65 million in June to Herr's at Dan Schantz LLC, according to Lehigh County property assessment records.
The company's other farming location, at 6071 Durham Road in Pipersville, Bucks County, currently is listed for sale.
The business focused on a "direct from grower" model of selling plants grown locally in the Lehigh Valley.
"We just hope someone does good, takes it over, because we have many memories of how good the Lehigh Valley has been to us."Former Dan Schantz Greenhouse owner Patrick Flanley
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.
"Things have to progress, and we'll see what happens from there," Flanley said.
"We just hope someone does good, takes it over, because we have many memories of how good the Lehigh Valley has been to us."
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.
