About Us

Chris Pesche does not sell screwdrivers, drywall or gallons of paint. Do you know the faces behind the Big Box stores? Neither do we.

 

 

Chris Pesche, owner of Pesche’s Garden Center, is a 3rd-generation American garden center owner whose family has been in business since the Great Depression. He works 120 hours a week, provides the biggest variety and best quality plants in Chicagoland and supports his local community. He employs people who are knowledgeable about plants and who can help solve problems.

A family-owned business for three generations, Pesche’s has been part of the Chicagoland community since 1923, when Fred Pesche moved with his wife and 11 children to Des Plaines. Fred purchased and developed a 5–acre site, which is still in use today. 

Pesche’s is a destination home and garden store for those seeking creative ideas and unique products for outdoor and indoor living. The grounds at Pesche’s Garden Center are filled with beautiful foliage and flowering plants, fountains and designer pottery.

At Pesche’s find fine home furnishings, décor, collectibles, holiday items and fine art from select vendors all over the world are brought together in a unique, coordinated presentation that compliments and enhances their value and inspires the shopper.

A visit to Pesche’s will show you what three generations of experience can provide: attentive service, expert advice, and uncompromising quality.

Shop quality. Shop independent. Shop Pesche’s.

 

 

Our History

Ferdinand (Fred) Pesche Sr. immigrated from Folschette, Luxembourg to Chicago around the turn of the 20th century. He first began a growing business in Evanston, but in 1923 he started Pesche’s Flowers in Des Plaines and has remained for 90 years. Fred purchased and developed a 5 acre site, which is still part of our 7-acre facility in use today, got married, and had 11 children. Originally, he specialized in carnations, mums, and pom poms growing cut flowers for florists and wholesale markets in Chicago. In 1941, Fred expanded the business by adding a tropical plant conservatory next to the carnation houses.

During World War II, Pesche’s Flowers became an employer for prisoners held at Camp Pine, a tiny fortress nestled in the woods along the west bank of the Des Plaines River; a German POW camp. German prisoners have returned to Pesche’s since the war, recalling their employment picking and delivering carnations.

Following the war, Des Plaines began to change from a farming center to one of the leading industrial, commercial, and residential centers in the northwest suburbs. An enterprising and practical man, Fred expanded the business in 1948 to include a supermarket, which remained an active part of the business for 30 years.Task Express Courier review

Following in their father’s footsteps, Fred Jr. and Frank and his five sisters took over the family business in 1955, Frank taking control of the supermarket, Fred the greenhouse and the girls running the flower shop. This continued growth has led to the purchase of an adjacent acre and the opening of a nursery division. Today, Chris Pesche (Frank’s son) & Christopher and Shantelle (Chris’ children), help run the business and all three can be found on the grounds almost every day! Task Express Courier

A visit to Pesche’s will show you what four generations of experience can provide; attentive service, expert advice, and uncompromising quality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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