Zeeland's Outback Greenhouse celebrates 50 year anniversary

Austin Metz, Holland Sentinel
·3 min read

ZEELAND — When Outback Greenhouse opened their doors on the morning of Saturday, April 27, it was a milestone for the family business.

First opened in 1974, the business celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday. Jerald Berens and his son Herb started the business as Berens Flower Garden. It has remained in the family through the years and operates at 1134 64th Ave. in Zeeland.

"They (Jerald and Herb) just ventured out and decided to give it a shot and see what they could do with this," said Kathie Berens, marketing director for the company and wife of current owner Jon Berens. "It is pretty amazing because Herb had no prior training with growing flowers or anything so they were literally learning and figuring things out as they went."

Herb Berens (left) and Jon Berens are the past and current owners Berens Flower Gardens, now known as Outback Greenhouse.
Herb Berens (left) and Jon Berens are the past and current owners Berens Flower Gardens, now known as Outback Greenhouse.

It started with a small interest in plants and soon Jerald found his niche. Then, in 1977, Herb took on full responsibility of the business.

In 1993, the company opened a retail center next to VanWeiren Hardware where they worked alongside the hardware store, but with separate transactions.

"It became a really awesome relationship with VanWeiren because people would come in Saturday morning and the guys would go into the hardware store and the ladies would come over to the retail part of the greenhouse and spent the morning there," Kathie Berens said.

Three years later, in 1996, they built a separate retail center just north of the original Berens Flower Gardens — which is now the company’s wholesale area.

A look back at Berens Flower Garden from May 1997.
A look back at Berens Flower Garden from May 1997.

The business has relied on family for its success. Herb’s son Jeff grew flowers for a time and sold them to Berens Flower Gardens.

Jon Berens, another of Herb’s sons, purchased the wholesale portion of the business in 2000, changing its name to Outback Greenhouse. Herb retired in 2013 and sold the retail portion to Jon, who’s run it ever since.

Berens Flower Garden first opened in 1974 by Jerald Berens and his son Herb Berens.
Berens Flower Garden first opened in 1974 by Jerald Berens and his son Herb Berens.

According to Kathie Berens, the family was and is involved in all aspects of the business.

Jon grows the flowers and manages the wholesale, while his sister Jacquie manages the retail business with support from Kathie. Through the years, many other Berens family members have gotten their hands dirty at the greenhouse as well.

Outback Greenhouse, formerly known as Berens Flower Gardens, celebrated its 50th anniversary when opening April 27.
Outback Greenhouse, formerly known as Berens Flower Gardens, celebrated its 50th anniversary when opening April 27.

Judging by the company’s continued growth, it’s safe to say the business model is working.

Kathie Berens said the business started with about 9,000-square-feet of greenhouses and currently they are just shy of four acres and 170,570-square-feet of greenhouses.

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

Another unique aspect of the business is the Berens’ personal attention to each customer.

“We are one of very few retail centers that customers can bring in their containers and walk out with an original product designed by our retail staff,” Kathie Berens said.

Berens said the plan is to celebrate the shop's 50th anniversary throughout the year by wearing new 50th anniversary t-shirts and more.

To learn more, visit outbackgreenhouse.com.

— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Zeeland's Outback Greenhouse celebrates 50 year anniversary