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Lurvey expansion allows year-round business

Big changes have recently been unveiled at Lurvey Garden Center in Des Plaines after a nine-month construction project yielded a new, state-of-the-art garden center that allows Lurvey to better serve its loyal clientele and also to be open year-round.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 14,000 square foot facility, 2550 E. Dempster St., was held April 7 and a grand opening week will run from April 22 (Earth Day) through April 30 (which includes Arbor Day).

The Lurvey family has been selling sod, landscaping supplies and other garden items from their nine-acre Des Plaines location since 1986 when they purchased the garden center and former truck farm from Ray and Marion Lindemann, who had operated it for about 50 years. The Lurveys continued to operate the business as Lindemann's Garden Center until 1994 when the name was changed to Lurvey.

In 2014 the Lurveys added three new greenhouses for additional covered shopping and to protect the plants from the elements. It also added more hard surface walks.

"We outgrew our old space, which was originally the Lindemanns' house," said Jean Bragdon, operations and marketing/special events manager. "We had renovated the house into a store in 2000 and made additions through the years."

But 15 years later, that facility no longer worked for the company. So it began a major reconstruction in July and the end result "is spectacular," Bragdon said. The new garden center has wider aisles, lots of elbow room, lots of natural light and much more room for garden essentials, gifts, house plants, fountain and water gardening supplies and more.

"For the first time, all of our check-out counters are in the same place and entrances and exits are very clear. Lurvey will now be a 'destination' shop instead of just a garden center. We have a classroom for workshops, a conference room for consultations and even a lounge area with comfortable furniture and a two-story fireplace where customers can read brochures and meet with designers," she said.

"We also have a conservatory where customers can stop in for grab-and-go gift plants," Bragdon added.

"Now that we have the space, we plan to reach out even more to the community. We plan to start a garden club for kids, for instance, in order to get the next generation excited about gardening, and we plan to offer many more special events now that we have a place to host people, even in inclement weather."

When you enter the new Lurvey Garden Center, you cannot miss a huge banner that proclaims "Embrace Your Space, Improve Your Life." That reflects the philosophy of the Lurvey family and its entire staff.

"We don't just sell plants and products," Bragdon said. "Through the products we offer, we are trying to help our customers connect with family and friends so they can better enjoy what life is all about. When they buy a fire pit, for instance, they are buying a place where they can enjoy fun and fellowship with their children, neighbors, extended family and friends."

Those who have enjoyed shopping at the Lurvey Garden Center for years, as well as those who have never stopped in, are invited to come by the new facility and enjoy the many festivities planned for Lurvey's Grand Open House Week April 22-30.

Activities planned include:

• April 22 (Earth Day). Free vegetable garden classes at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• April 23. Open House including jewelry and gift vendors, gourmet food, Ask the Experts sessions, spring container workshops (10 a.m. and 2 p.m., fee charged and registration suggested), raffles, specials and giveaways.

• April 24. Kids' Day featuring free mini-terrarium planting sessions all day. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

• April 25. Design Day with free, 15-minute consultations with experts. Bring photos and measurements of areas where you seek assistance, leave with ideas.

• April 26. Garden Club Day. Specials offered all day to members of area garden clubs.

• April 27. Vendor Day. Specials offered to Lurvey vendors. Container workshops at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (fee charged and registration suggested).

• April 28. Military, Fire and Police Day. Specials throughout the day for those who have served our country.

• April 29 (Arbor Day). Tree-related specials and giveaways.

• April 30. Water Garden Day. It will be all about ponds, bubblers and water features.

For more information about Lurvey Garden Center, visit www.lurveys.com or call (847) 824-7411.

  Home Decor area at the new Lurvey Landscape Supply and Plant Center in Des Plaines. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  Conservatory area at the new Lurvey Landscape Supply and Plant Center in Des Plaines. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  Greenhouse full of spring plants at the new Lurvey Landscape Supply and Plant Center in Des Plaines. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  Conference room where customers can work on design ideas at the new Lurvey Landscape Supply and Plant Center in Des Plaines. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  Lurvey Landscape Supply and Plant Center in Des Plaines. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  Checkout area at the new Lurvey Landscape Supply and Plant Center in Des Plaines. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
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