Owner hoping for more green at new Tilton location
DANVILLE – Moving to a larger building in Tilton will give a growing Georgetown business the space it needs to continue expanding its greenhouse supply and construction business.
International Greenhouse Company, 806 N. Main St., Georgetown, has purchased the former building of Earl Gaudio and Sons, Vermilion County's Budweiser distributor. Last year, the Gaudio business moved into a newly constructed building at 1803 Georgetown Road, Tilton.
David George, president and owner of International Greenhouse Company, said the former Gaudio building at 1644 Georgetown Road, Tilton, is perfect for his business, which has experienced a 30 percent increase in sales over last year and needs more warehouse space for products.
The company started in 1993 as a greenhouse contractor, and now also sells equipment and supplies for greenhouses.
Todd Schultz, member of the Tilton Business Association, said the association is very happy to have another business occupy a building that has been vacant. He said multiple offers were made on the building, but International Greenhouse Company got the facility and will make a good addition in Tilton.
"We are very pleased to have them coming into town. They are family-owned and bringing jobs with the move," he said.
George, who also owns Burgoyne's Floral in Georgetown, said 80 percent of International Greenhouse's business comes through its Web site, which features more than 2,000 greenhouse products, including lighting, heating and cooling devices and other supplies.
But George said their product line could be even larger with additional warehouse space.
Currently, the company has 6,000 square feet of warehouse space, some of which is at Central States Distribution in Danville. But the new building offers 26,000 square feet that will allow the company to consolidate under one roof and expand its product line.
George said the company doesn't focus on large commercial growers but has found a niche with small commercial growers, institutional growers such as schools, and individual growers, especially people just starting a greenhouse.
He said it's a rapidly growing industry for several reasons.
A lot of people want to grow their own produce, George said, not only because of rising food costs but also because of fear associated with E. Coli outbreaks and a trend a toward organic farming that eliminates the use of chemicals in the growing process.
"I think were are seeing a whole convergence of things," he said.
Some light renovation work has started at the new building, which George said International Greenhouse Company financed through First National Bank in Georgetown. It was purchased from Security Ventures Inc., owned by Paul Offutt, who developed Gaudio and Sons' new facility.
George plans to move into International Greenhouse's new building in August and hire two additional employees. Currently, the company employs 15.
"It's definitely going to allow us to continue our growth and provide additional jobs in the community. I don't think there are too many e-commerce companies in the area," said George, who was born in Vermilion County and grew up in Seattle but moved back in 2002 to take over the family business.
The company could be run from anywhere, George said, but Vermilion County provides a very affordable environment and a willing work force.
"We are very pleased. We are making a long-term commitment to the community with this move," he said.
On the Web
www.greenhousemegastore.com.
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