Glick’s Greenhouse: From Family Farm to Garden Center Destination

Independent garden centers continue to face increasing competition, making it more important than ever to offer customers something they can’t find elsewhere. For Glick’s Greenhouse in Oley, Pennsylvania, that strategy has never been about chasing trends. Instead, the family-owned business has spent more than five decades building lasting relationships through quality plants, memorable experiences, and a willingness to evolve.

Founded in 1973 by Dave Glick, the business began as a modest greenhouse operation on family farmland. As demand grew, so did the facilities. Existing farm buildings were repurposed, additional greenhouses were constructed, and each generation contributed new ideas while preserving the family values that shaped the business from the beginning.

Today, Glick’s Greenhouse encompasses approximately three acres with 15 production greenhouses, nearly 18,000 square feet of retail space, and a seasonal workforce that expands to about 45 employees during the spring rush.

The current generation continues to build on that foundation. Joe Glick joined the business full-time after graduating from high school in 1997, while his daughter, Anna, later became part of the management team after growing up in the greenhouse. For Anna, working at Glick’s has always felt natural.

“I joke that my first day on the job was when I was six months old,” she says. “I was Baby Jesus in our live nativity.”

Growing up surrounded by production greenhouses and retail customers gave Anna a unique perspective on the business. She watched the operation evolve from a traditional greenhouse into a destination where visitors spend hours exploring, shopping and enjoying the property.

That transformation did not happen overnight. Over the years, the family invested in creating experiences that extend beyond plant sales. Walking paths, water features, workshops and seasonal displays encourage customers to slow down and enjoy their visit.

The greenhouse also regularly introduces new attractions and events, including pop-up cafés and themed experiences that give visitors another reason to return throughout the year. The property’s iconic water wheel, originally built decades ago by previous generations, was carefully preserved during renovations and remains a favorite stop for families.

The greenhouse’s annual poinsettia show demonstrates how those investments have paid off. What began as a simple holiday open house has evolved into a seasonal tradition that now attracts roughly 17,000 visitors each year. Elaborate displays, themed decorations, and family-friendly activities transform the greenhouse into a holiday destination, bringing in both loyal customers and first-time visitors.

For the Glick family, however, these attractions are not simply marketing tools.

“Our goal has always been to create an experience people remember,” says Anna. “If they enjoy spending time here, they’re much more likely to come back.”

That philosophy extends well beyond the holiday season. Many customers have been shopping at Glick’s for decades, and it’s not uncommon for the family to run into them around town. Conversations often continue outside the greenhouse, whether customers want to share photos of thriving hanging baskets or ask questions about the upcoming growing season. Those personal relationships have become one of the business’s greatest strengths.

The same sense of community exists behind the scenes. Multiple generations of employees have worked at Glick’s over the years, with younger siblings often following older family members into seasonal positions. Maintaining that culture has helped create a knowledgeable, experienced team that understands both the products and the customers.

While the retail experience has evolved considerably, production remains focused on consistency and quality. Rather than relying solely on automation, the growing team still spends significant time walking crops every day, monitoring plant development and responding quickly to changing conditions. That hands-on approach has remained a cornerstone of the operation as production has expanded.

Growing media has also played an important role in maintaining consistency. Glick’s Greenhouse first adopted PRO-MIX^® BK for poinsettia production before expanding its use across additional crops. Today, the PRO-MIX^® growing media used throughout the greenhouse is also available in the retail garden center, allowing home gardeners to grow with the products trusted by the production team.

Looking ahead, Joe and Anna believe continued success depends on remaining open to new ideas while staying true to the values that built the business. Every expansion, renovation, and new attraction has been driven by the same objective: creating an environment where quality plants, knowledgeable service, and genuine hospitality come together.

After more than 50 years, Glick’s Greenhouse demonstrates that long-term success is built by continually adapting to customers’ needs while preserving the family values and horticultural expertise that have defined the business for generations.