Lowe's of Yesterday

THE HISTORY OF CARLTON LOWE AND THE TUBEROUS BEGONIA

        In 1925, Carlton Lowe started his business in Bainbridge.  He built it around the tuberous begonia, which he had fallen in love with during World War I, when he was a soldier stationed in Europe.  He was on his way back to base after delivering a message to the front in Belgium when he saw several acres of these begonias and was spellbound.  He found the farmer and learned all he could about these magnificent flowers, ending up in the brig for being A.W.O.L.!!  When he returned home, he introduced the tuberous begonia to Bainbridge and the United States through a catalog order business at Lowe's Greenhouse.

        We've come a long way in the last 85 years.  We now grow all sorts of annuals, perennials, bulbs, etc., but we never forget our roots.  We still offer that old-fashioned American hybrid tuberous begonia, grown from bulb-like tubers, just as Carlton Lowe did for so many years.  We have the best, most varied collection of begonias you'll find anywhere.  And we've created a beautiful display garden of the historic tuberous begonia that will take your breath away, just as they did Carlton's!

THE FAMILY

Bud and Ernestine Griff (Grandpa and Grandma) purchased the business from Carlton Lowe in the mid-1950's.  They moved to the country from Cleveland Heights, where Bud had been a truck driver.  route 306 was a dirt road back then!  Ernestine had to learn how to drive so that she could go to floral arranging classes on the west side of Cleveland!  They knew nothing about flowers and plants, yet learned quickly.  They also had to rebuild many structures and heated with a coal-burning furnace.

Then came Bud Jr. and Lou (Dad and Mom).  Bud grew up in the plant side of the business, and Lou learned and ran the floral and gift business.  During their years of ownership the business grew, even through disasters like a hail storm, which demolished some greenhouses! 

Lou is now working part-time with the florisrts, while Bud is still involved in the business on a daily basis, as the "Germinator."

 The third generation of Griffs: even as a child, Jeff was an entrepreneur, selling grass clippings in cigar boxes for $1.00.  Jeff took over the business in the last few years, and has added new product lines like perennials, trees and shrubs, and landscaping services.  

He and his wife Mary Lynn are keeping up with the development of the Bainbridge community, continuing to serve it.  Their children, Darby (12) and Maddi (10), sell lemonade on hot days at the greenhouse, just as Jeff and his sister Pam did.  Darby knows more plants than any other kid in her class.  Maddi is, well, she is always dirty from playing with Dad in the garden!

        Jeff's brother, Eric is also a part of the business.  After graduating from John Carroll and a brief stint in the world of big business, he has returned to Lowe's Greenhouse as Landscape Manager.

        The Lowe's Greenhouse family is growing all the time, with about 50 employees and their families.  How fortunate we all are to have such a supportive community which places a high value on quality of life, service, loyalty, knowledge, and the flowers and plants which bring us beauty throughout the year.