Page 27 - Readers Choice 2014 - Gresham Outlook & Sandy Post

January 2014 READERS CHOICE 27

— How does your garden grow? —

By ANNE ENDICOTT
Today, the 66-year-old family-run busi-
Pamplin Media Group
ness manages a huge growing operation in
Hubbard, which supplies inventory to the
Al’s Garden Center in Gresham is like nursery’s retail outlets in Woodburn and
Mecca for those who love to get dirt un- Sherwood. The company expanded into
der their ingernails. The wide selection
Gresham in 1997, originally as a seasonal
of plants and gardening accessories is
operation, and added year-round retail in
2004.
why Outlook
The company grows all its annuals and 2014 Readers’ and Sandy Post
perennials and 50 percent all shrubbery in readers chose
Hubbard, while its’ signature geraniums, Choice
Al’s as their

daisies and fuchsias are all grown in Gresh- n Best Garden choice for Best
am.
Supplies, Best Nursery Nursery and
The landmark garden center is undergo- Al’s Garden Center, Best Place for
ing an expansion and remodel, which will 7505 S.E. Hogan Road, Gardening Sup-
add nearly 4,000 additional square feet of Gresham plies.

covered retail space and centralized check- 503-491-0771. “We are de-
out. A grand reopening for the remodeled Website: als-gardencen- lighted to be cho-
garden center is tentatively planned for ter.com. Facebook: sen by the readers
March.
facebook.com/ as their Garden
“To keep up with demand, our Gresham AlsGardenCenter
Center of choice,”

store has grown every year since we opened said Mark Bigej,
it,” Bigej said. “We are now three times the owner of the nursery. “At Al’s, we appreciate
size we were when we opened, allowing us every customer who visits us and we strive
to carry a much broader range of products to give them a positive gardening experi-
and services.
ence.”

“With our new expansion and store im- Al’s Garden Center was born as a road-
provements, we are excited for 2014. We are side fruit stand in 1948 by Al and Ann Bigej. STAFF PHOTO: JIM CLARK
looking ahead to growing relationships and The couple sold fruit and asparagus home- Tim Fidanzo, manager of Al’s Garden Center in Gresham, stands among the geranium starts that will be
gardens in the Gresham community.”
grown on their land in Hubbard.
ready for spring gardeners.

4
011
4.RC
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