This year marks our 75 years in the gardening industry! It all began in 1948 with a humble fruit stand and has grown into four retail locations, three farms, and e-commerce. Founders Al and Ann Bigej began selling fruit and produce to residents and tourists traveling along the highway. Their middle son, Jack Bigej, expanded the business to include nursery stock in 1970. From that point on, there was no looking back. Jack recruited his four children into the business. As the nursery business grew, Jack expanded and diversified their inventory, built greenhouses, and opened their first store in Woodburn in the early 1980s.
In 1996, the greenhouse operations were moved to “The Farm” in Hubbard, Oregon. Soon after, the Gresham location was purchased to accommodate more greenhouses. A production nursery was added outside Mt. Angel, Oregon enabling Al’s Garden & Home to grow trees and shrubs. Nearly 85% of that inventory is sold in all four locations. The Gresham store was built on the property in 2004. The state-of-the-art Sherwood store opened in 2005. The expansion continued into Wilsonville in 2017.
Al’s Garden & Home produces almost 100% of the inventory we sell to date. During the peak seasons, plants are delivered daily from our growing facilities, ensuring the highest quality is delivered to the customers. Al’s dream has evolved into a fourth-generation family-owned business. The company employs more than 200 staff throughout all lines of the business. Al Bigej’s legacy continues with Jack and his children, Darcy, Mark, and Dorothy. The fourth generation has entered the business, adding more green thumbs to hard-working hands of the Bigej family. Al and Ann would be so proud four generations have nurtured the seeds they planted and expanded the business to what it is today.
We will be celebrating our 75th anniversary all year long. Make sure you stay in the know by visiting our stores, the website, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We have many exciting promotions, events, and vintage marketing prepared. We appreciate the three-quarters of a century of community support. We can’t wait to show our gratitude and celebrate this milestone in 2023!
After arriving in Beaverton in November of 2004, I discovered your outstanding nursery near Sherwood, Oregon. I so enjoyed my visits there and of course, purchasing many wonderful and healthy plants during my 16 years there. I completely redesigned my backyard into my ‘special sanctuary.’
Today, I am living in southwest Oregon and greatly miss my visits! I wish you and all your family another 75 years of inspiration!
Denise
I have been an Al’s customer for over 30 years and it’s my go to place for any plants, shrubs or trees. I have introduced many friends to Al’s over the years and they have become dedicated customers too.
My favorite thing is to stroll through the green houses, even if I don’t need a thing.
To me it’s a treat for the senses and seeing all the beautiful flowers lifts my spirits! It’s like a mini vacation! 😊
Keep up the good work and I pray you will be in business for another 75 years!
Congrats on this milestone! ❤️🌹🌸💐🌺🌷🌻🥀❤️
Congratulations on all your accomplishments. Have Fun in the Garden!
My parents stopped at the small fruit stand in its early years. I was around 4 years old and remember the honey and the over ripe bananas that my mother liked to purchase. While there, I imagine she included other fruits and vegetables. It was always a memory that stayed with me all these years. And I still shop at Al’s but not for honey and bananas!
Congratulations on your 75th anniversary! Al’s is my favorite place to shop for all my gardening needs, Holiday accessories and so much more! Keep up the good work and go for that century mark. Love 💕 you guys.
Leave a comment