Couple offers a taste of the tropics in the suburbs

The owners of a suburban business are bringing the topics to customers who may not be able to afford an extravagant vacation this summer.

Husband and wife team Patti and Mark Jensen sell artificial palm trees to businesses and residents.

"With all the talk of 'staycations,' we help make your back yard feel like you're somewhere far away," Patti Jensen said.

The trees have been popular for backyards with pools or hot tubs.

"We can create the tropical atmosphere year round with a natural lit palm tree," she said.

The five-year-old business is growing. Pacific Lights recently relocated from a 2,000-square-foot warehouse in Lake in the Hills to a 6,000-square-foot location at 1655 Jarvis in Elk Grove Village. A 16-foot palm stands in front of the warehouse and showroom.

The shop sells several varieties of the palm trees that are lit with an LED light positioned in the top of the tree.

The couple first started selling the trees to Hooter's restaurants in the Northeast United States and the Carolinas. Patrons often questioned where to get the trees. The couple then started selling shorter 6-, 10- and 12-foot trees to homeowners.

The trees start at $595.

The Jensens often market the trees at pool and spa shows. Landscape companies and pool stores are also customers.

Patti Jensen, who runs the day-to-day operations of the business, says the trees look real, blow in the wind and have even been known to fool birds that built nests in the palms.

The owners have sold different types of the palm trees in the past and find these to look the most real. Jensen said her company orders directly from a factory in China.

"There is no middleman," she said.

The business also sells a tree whose entire trunk, branches and coconut are lit up. The red, blue, orange, green, yellow and purple 10-foot trees start at $895.

To celebrate the expansion and the grand opening, the company is offering discounted pricing on all the trees through June, Jensen said.

Mark Jensen also owns a cleaning and restoration franchise that he has operated for 17 years.

The Pacific Lights showroom is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment during the evenings and weekends.

For more information, call (847) 358-8804 or check out pacificlightsinc.com.

• Kim Mikus covers retail and small business. She welcomes comments at (847) 427-4567 or kmikus@dailyherald.com.