In 1877, William A. Meier purchased his homestead on Manchester Road, where he engaged in truck farming. Meier began growing a variety of field flowers, which together with his vegetable crops were sold at the St. Louis Flower Market.

In 1904, he constructed the first greenhouses in Des Peres, totaling 20,000 square feet. By 1930, the floral industry had largely replaced farming as the major industry in Des Peres. Nearly eight acres of greenhouses covered the Des Peres landscape, providing the city with the name "City of Flowers." After the Meier family gave up the business in 1933, the greenhouses were operated by several different owners. In the 1940s, researchers at Washington University grew hydroponic tomatoes in some of the greenhouses that are now operated by Ahner's Garden & Gifts.

In September of 1947, after returning from service in World War II, and in keeping with the family tradition of greenhouse growing, the Ahner brothers, Harold and Herbert, acquired the greenhouses. The Ahner brothers became the second generation to grow flowers, as their father had done before in 1906 in Kirkwood. They began growing carnations, mums and snapdragons for cut flowers to be sold at the St. Louis Flower Market. They engaged in the retail business only in the spring, from April 1 to July 1, selling bedding plants and hanging baskets.

During the winter months, two tons of coal were needed each year to keep the boilers running to heat the greenhouses. They were hand stoked, requiring Harold to come back to the greenhouse every evening to ensure that enough coal was stoked to keep them fired. In the 1950s, they started growing geraniums, beginning with one hundred plants the first year. Today production has grown to over 30,000 plants annually.

In the late 1960s, with increased competition from South America, the company stopped growing cut flowers and moved to total production of potted plants. Through the years, the company grew a variety of potted crops, including poinsettias, mums, hanging baskets and indoor foliage. In the early 1970s, the retail shop was remodeled and remained open year-round, providing plants for the ever-increasing group of loyal customers. The family began selling basket arrangements of live plants, which began a new trend in the retail florist business that continues today as a staple of the business.

As the family began to grow, the children helped where they could; producing the crops and caring for the greenhouse. In the mid-1970s, Harold and Shirley's son Rich began his career with the business. Rich's interest started as a child, when he grew African violets in the basement of the family home. In 1983, he became the manager and head-grower of the greenhouse operation. In that same year, his sister Pat joined the family business after a successful tenure as a corporate secretary. Together, Rich and Pat added many product lines to the business, such as orchids and interior foliage, while maintaining the same high standards of quality and service as their parents.

In 1993, they purchased the business from their parents and continued its growth. Many of our customers have made a tradition of shopping at Ahner's for all their plants and plant care needs. The Ahner family and the entire staff of Ahner's Garden & Gifts is sincerely grateful for the loyalty of our customers and their continued patronage.

We would like to familiarize you with some new features at Ahner's. In the spring of 1997, we held the grand opening of our new state-of-the-art retail greenhouse facility. This Dutch-made glasshouse provides a unique shopping experience in a comfortable environment no matter the season. This facility is the only one of its kind in the Midwest and rivals the facilities of many botanical gardens.

Looking toward the future, Ahner's Garden & Gifts will continue to reflect the tradition of a hometown family business. We will strive to offer the most innovative and highest quality merchandise in a unique and inviting shopping experience. To this end we opened our 3000 square foot gift shop in 2000. The shop features distinctive giftware and home furnishings.

As we celebrate 60 years of excellence, we express our gratitude to the loyal customers that have made us an integral part of their homes and gardens.