In their own words
Back row, from left: Rick Vespa, VP, Hard Goods Merchandising and President, Landscaping Company; Kevin Lowman, Special Projects Manager; John Darin, President. Front row, from left: Gracie Vespa, Marketing and Special Events Coordinator; Glenda Darin, Shareholder; Rachel Darin, Buyer-in-training.
English Gardens
Member since: 2014 Owners: 14 shareholders, including Phyllis Darin, wife of founder John Darin, and 13 second generation owners Locations: Clinton Township, Dearborn Heights, Eastpointe, Plymouth, Royal Oak, West Bloomfield Founded: 1954 Specialties: Garden plants and supplies, patio furniture, indoor and flowering plants, Christmas trees, lights, and decorations.
By RACHEL SCHRAUBEN Photos STEVE JESSMORE Does your business have a unique story? Contact rschrauben@retailers.com.
‘Tis the season of giving, but English Gardens, with six locations in the southeastern portion of the state, donates year-round. With goals of helping out local causes and organizations, John Darin, President of English Gardens, explains why giving back is at the height of his company’s philosophy. A Family Affair English Gardens originally started by a man named Marshal English and was purchased in 1954 by my father, John Darin, and uncle, Henry Vespa. We now have six locations in the Metro-Detroit area: Dearborn Heights, West Bloomfield, Clinton Township, Eastpointe, Royal Oak and our newest store in Plymouth. There are 13 second-generation owners – children and in-laws from the Darin and Vespa families – and four third-generation children – grandchildren of the founders – working in the company. Being surrounded by my family every day brings a lot of opportunities and a lot of challenges, and we take the challenges and make them into opportunities. Supporting Local Communities We’ve been doing the Round Up for Charity program for about five
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MICHIGAN RETAILER DEC 2021/ JAN 2022
