After signing a short-term lease to run the Dan Schantz Greenhouse & Cut Flowers Outlet, Robert and Melanie Herr have decided to fully acquire the Allentown business.
Herr's Fruit Farm announced Friday that it has completed the purchase of the popular gardening store at 2031 SW 29th St. just off Lehigh Street and Interstate 78.
In a statement, the Herrs said they "feel honored by the enthusiastic reception" that they have received from the community.
The Herrs, whose family has run a fruit and vegetable business in Lancaster County for more than 110 years, had initially signed an agreement with Schantz ownership in March to temporarily lease the location that first opened in 2002.
According to Lehigh County real estate records, the property was sold by Schantz Lane LP to Herr's at Dan Schantz LLC for $1.65 million.
"Our initial intention was to lease the property for the spring flower season," the Herrs said. "However, when we opened our doors, the customer response was so overwhelmingly positive, that we knew that we had to stay. We are excited and honored to be able to continue Dan Schantz's tradition as the Lehigh Valley's premier garden center.
"With Dan's blessing, we will keep the Schantz name, and continue to offer the area's best selection of top-quality annuals, perennials, tropical plants, cacti and houseplants. We will of course continue to offer other seasonal delights, including pumpkins and mums in the fall, Christmas trees, wreaths, and poinsettias in December, and roses for Valentines Day."
The Herrs said they have spent many late nights cleaning, painting and upgrading the store. "This has been a labor of love," Melanie Herr said.
Several former Schantz employees have returned to work for the Herrs, according to the release.
New items at the store will include Lancaster County-grown fruits and vegetables along with pickles, jams and pure honey.
A grand opening celebration and fall festival has been scheduled for Oct. 5. Additional information can be found on the Herrs at Dan Schantz Greenhouse Facebook page or by calling 484-232-8556.
The Dan Schantz business dates to 1957 when he bought a family farm in Lower Milford Township and opened a roadside stand.
Schantz opened the Allentown location in 2002 after spending 15 years operating a small store in Emmaus. He previously had retail businesses at Easton Avenue in Bethlehem, Union Boulevard in Allentown and Lehigh Street in Emmaus, but sold them after facing quadruple heart bypass surgery.
The company put the store on the market in October 2023.