Two convenient locations

It all started over 80 years ago when Alfred C. Brenckle purchased property in Pittsburgh to establish a truck farm. From these original 15 acres he grew produce which he sold to the fruit and vegetable wholesalers in Pittsburgh’s famed Strip District. 

Several years later his son Alfred A. Brenckle and his wife Lois became the second generation to join the family business. In addition to farming, they sold vegetable plants to home gardeners from a small stand across the street from their house. After about a year, Lois Brenckle asked her father-in-law for some space to grow a few petunias. She promised to sell any that she didn’t use in her yard. 

In those days, you didn’t grow anything that you couldn’t eat. She started with only half of a hotbed and very soon Lois’s petunias were a hit. The family never forgets that today’s complex of almost 50 huge greenhouses had its humble beginnings from half a hotbed.

Years later Alfred & Lois’s two sons Don and Gary became the third generation of the Brenckle family to continue in the flower and produce business. Today, these two brothers run the family business. Don, cigar in hand, and his wife Joan spend most of their time at the Mt. Troy greenhouse complex in Pittsburgh. From early spring to well into the fall, the Pittsburgh location is a sensory overload of flowers, plants and fresh produce of all kinds, aromas, and colors. 

Gary and his family operate the farming operation that supports both of the retail greenhouse locations. The 300 acre farm is host to several production greenhouses where many of their hanging baskets, flowers and vegetable plants are started from seed as well as immaculate fields with a great variety of tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, cucumbers, melons and sweet corn. Additionally they farm several satellite locations, in order to meet the demand for high quality produce. Carol, Gary’s wife can usually be found at the Butler greenhouse along with other family members.

The fourth generation is hard at work in the family business. Gary & Carol’s daughters Amy & Stephanie work at the Butler Greenhouse, and their son Gary operates all of the farm equipment. Don & Joan’s son Don spends much of his time in the Pittsburgh location. Their other son, Greg works at the farm and in the Butler greenhouse and helps with the wholesale operation which supplies many of the area’s restaurants and groceries.

The fifth generation is still too young to work in the family business, but they already enjoy visits to the farm and greenhouses.