George Robben’s first job at his father’s florist and greenhouse business was catching moles.

“My dad would pay be five cents for every mole I would get,” he said. “I would rush home from school at St. Dominic’s to start hunting.”

Apparently, his enthusiasm for catching critters waned, so he opted to follow in his father’s footsteps instead. He and late his brother, Ray, ran the business until his son, Ron, bought the business and the family home next door.

Now celebrating 75 years of providing what one customer said was the best selection of plants anywhere, Robben Florist and Greenhouses will throw itself and its customers a party July 22 and 23, at the greenhouse, 352 Pedretti Road, Delhi.

Ron Robben said there will be food, fun and special savings on flowers from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

The third-generation business has blossomed where many of its colleagues in the floral paradise of Delhi Township have failed.

“There once was more than 50 greenhouses in Delhi,” Ron said. “Now, there’s just six of us.”

He attributes the decline on the rising cost to run a greenhouse business and the intense labor involved.

“Utility costs are outrageous,” he said, “and this is a seven-day-a-week operation.”

Robben’s is losing one of its main competitors with the closing of Delhi Flower and Garden Center.

“I hate to see Bob close. Competition is always a good thing and we are like a family,” Ron said.

“His business brought customers to the township which is good for everyone. There are people who come from the other side of town and make a day out of shopping at all the greenhouses.”

Ron said he thinks his family business continues to thrive because of the customer service and quality of plants and flowers.

“We really try to teach our customers how to care for what they’ve bought before they leave the parking lot,” he said.

Delhi Township resident Nancy Harting said she’s learned a thing or two thanks to the Robben family.

“I’ve been coming here for years,” she said. “This is such a great family place. Everyone is so helpful and everything is such good quality.”

Ron, 37, said his parents encouraged him to try his hand at something else before joining the family. After a stint doing landscaping, he said he literally came home.

“I just love working with flowers and I enjoy the contact with the customers,” he said.

Ron isn’t the only Robben in residence. There’s his dad, who continues to lend his expertise. His mom, Carolyn, who the two men said is responsible for “signing the checks.”

Kim King, Ron’s sister, is the retail manager and his wife, Melissa, works in the office. Ron’s two children, Renay and Justin, also work along side their dad and grandfather.

Once the Robben clan finishes celebrating its anniversary, they have plans to expand with its line of plants as well as its gift and Christmas merchandise.

Source: news.communitypress.com