Deep Roots……
Deep roots are a great attribute not only for plants, but people too! Green Thumb Garden Shoppe has only been in at 913 Mira Avenue (Corner of Mira and County Road A) since 2007, but owner Kathy Gilligan and her family have lived in the Crivitz area for generations. Both Kathy and her daughter Erin, grew up within miles of the Garden Center, and are both Crivitz High School alumni.
Taking a step way-back, Kathy’s grandparents, Walter and Sadie Schnell were the offspring of German Immigrants, and brought their family to live and grow on the same family farm Kathy grew up on. The family’s calling was running the small family dairy farm, which today is a rare thing. Thinking back, these small farmers were the entrepreneurs of the day, as running a successful farm and raising a large family is no small feat. As a child, Erin spent countless hours playing in the Peterman Brook which runs through the original family homestead. It is now the location of Peterman Brook Farms, owned by Kathy’s sister, Debra Doubek. (In fact, all of her 6 siblings and parents live within a 50 mile radius to this day!)
Walter and Charlie Schnell with their horses near the Peterman Brook 1944.
Kathy and her husband, Tom have a son, and two daughters. They live on Kathy’s parents (Charlie and Dorothy Schnell) first farm, purchased on a shoestring as a young couple, 3 miles from the original homestead, and have developed it into Beech Road Gardens. Many people might recognize it as the location of many yearly plant sales, going back to 2000. Kathy couldn’t seem to stop growing, even then, and had to liquidate the plants her extensive home garden could no longer contain. In 2002 Kathy became trained as a Master Gardener, and was hopelessly smitten, and knew she had to do something more. As Green Thumb Garden Shoppe became a reality, Beech Road Gardens continues to be developed into the young plant nursery.
Photo of Charlie and Kathy taken in July of 1957 on Charlie and Dorothy's first farm.
(Now known as Beech Road Gardens)
As Kathy and Erin searched for a location for their garden center, it only seemed natural to look at the location of one of the oldest standing homes in the village of Crivitz. Hidden behind ancient tall evergreens, the dilapidated homestead on the edge of town spoke to them! It cried out for attention, and to be loved again! This was the homestead of the Gocht/Miersch family, and was built over 100 years ago. The folk Victorian still sported some hand made fretwork on the old porch, showing that this family also cared very much, in a day when luxuries were few. (Erin, being the artistic one has replicated all of the exterior woodwork.)
Image of a horse drawn ice sled, hauling blocks in from the Peshtigo river taken in front of what is now Green Thumb Garden Shoppe estimated between 1885-1910.
After an extensive, year-long renovation by 4 generations of family members and friends, from Kathy’s mother (Dorothy), son (Kelly), down to the grandchildren, no hands were idle.
The house was originally built as the home of one of the owners of the Butler-Mueller sawmill which opened in 1883. (Current home of Green Thumb Garden Shoppe)
Green Thumb Garden Shoppe opened on September 27th 2007 with an eye towards continuing what past generations of our family began. We will work hard to nurture our deep roots and to pass on the love of growing to our children. Our promise to you is to continually strive to improve and educate and to grow the very best plants possible, from our family to yours…………..
