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Warner’s Nursery and Landscape Co. continues to flourish through four generations.
What began as a small plant shop in Page in 1970 has blossomed into one of Northern Arizona’s best-known garden centers and landscaping businesses, with four generations of the Warner family helping it grow.
Warner’s Nursery and Landscape Co. continues to flourish through four generations.
Bill and Dot Warner moved from California to Page in 1957, encouraged by a family friend overseeing construction of Glen Canyon Dam. Bill co-founded a Firestone hardware store, but when dam construction ended and the economy slowed, the store closed.
The Warners retained the building, eventually operating three family businesses there, including a plant shop Dot opened in 1970.
As construction of the Navajo Generating Station brought renewed growth to Page, demand for landscaping services increased. Warner’s Landscape Co. was born. By the late 1980s, the company was securing major contracts across Northern Arizona, including landscaping for Flagstaff’s three high schools and municipal properties.
The family expanded to Flagstaff in 1990, opening a location at Empire Avenue and North Highway 89 before moving to Butler Avenue in 1995.
Bill and Dot’s granddaughter, Misti Warner-Andersen, considers establishing Warner’s as a Flagstaff destination garden center and community gathering place among the company’s proudest accomplishments.
Equally meaningful is sustaining the family business through four generations. “That includes our staff, which we consider to be part of our family.”
Warner’s values hard work, dedication, quality products and workmanship, fair pricing and integrity. “We believe in doing the right thing.”
The company has continually adapted to changing economic conditions, weather patterns and customer needs.
“When we built the current retail store on Butler, our intention was to make Warner’s a destination garden center, where people could gather and share their love of plants,” she said.
In honor of Warner’s founder, Dottie’s Garden Coffee Shoppe opened within the nursery in 2016, adding another gathering place.
Rising operating costs, sourcing materials, an increasing minimum wage and attracting skilled employees remain challenges.
The Flagstaff building market has shifted, too. “Residential homes are mostly built, and new homes are smaller without yards, which impacts both our landscaping and nursery divisions.”
Warner-Andersen anticipates expanding events to attract customers during slower seasons while potentially reducing operating hours and retail space.
“Our founders set us up for success,” she said, crediting established business practices and three complementary divisions: landscape construction, grounds maintenance and retail. “When one of those divisions isn’t doing as well, the others make up for the losses.” FBN
Warner’s Nursery & Landscaping Co.
1101 E. Butler Ave.
Flagstaff, AZ. 86001
928-774-1983 warnercompanies.com
Filed Under: Business, Local News
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