Our Roots
Colonial Gardens was established in 1964 by Carl Korbel
and Elizabeth Klaus. It was orginally known as Colonial Garden
Center. During the 3 years it was owned by Mr. Korbel,
the store consisted of a small section that is now our
cash register room. In 1967 it was purchased by Stan
Schmidt and Phil Spinelli. It was operated as a partnership
until 1969 when Mr. Schmidt became the sole owner. A
year later, the business was incorporated as Colonial Garden
Center, Inc. Early products included houseplants, terrariums,
produce, annuals, perrenials, shrubs, bagged soils, and mulch.
In the 1970’s the middle barn room, lower gift shop, florist
area, and warehouse were constructed. In October of ’76
our florist branch in Pottstown was opened on High Street,
across from the Hill School. Both stores became known
as Colonial Gardens. The 70’s included an expansion into
gifts, lawn care products, tools, chemicals, and fresh flowers.
Landscaping also became a significant part of the store from
the early 70’s until the 80’s when it was discontinued again
until the the early 90’s.
The years 1982 and 1983 were years of a large expansion with
the addition of a 3700 square foot garden house and a roofed
breezeway along with the renovation of the storefront and
paving of the front parking lot. One of our most successful
ventures began in 1983 with the addition of Pumpkinland
in October which, continues to this day, providing
entertainment for visitors across generations.
By 1984, the Pottstown branch was sold and Haines Florist in
Royersford was purchased. The following year the physical
assets and personnel of Haines Florist were moved to our
Phoenixville location.
The 1990’s saw further expansion with the 2300 square foot
second garden house 1990 was also the beginning of
Colonial’s Haunted Gardens including the Haunted Woods
Hayride and the Haunted House of Horrors. Landscaping
design once again became part of Colonial Gardens’ service
during this decade and was eventually expanded into
design and install in the following decade.
The new century was followed with more renovation and
expansion in 2003. Colonial Gardens added a pole barn and
renovated the store front as well as the front sign once again.
Unfortunately, our beloved owner Stanley Schmidt passed in
2006 leaving the store in the hands of his son and
current owner, Eric Schmidt.
Colonial Gardens’ services have continued to grow with a
rapidly expanding floral department and landscape services.
In December of 2012, Colonial Gardens purchased the six
acres on its east side that it had rented for the last
30 years. Currently, the area is being expanded into an
agricultural entertainment and event rental facility to
include a privet maze, herbal labrynth, green roofed chicken
house, garden art, and eventually a Christmas light
show.
Colonial Gardens is grateful for our loyal customers and staff
who have kept us going for these 47 wonderful years. We look
forward to continuing our tradition of being a family
oriented and operated business and serving our
community for years to come.
