Local Business Profile: Graf Growers

The most frequently asked question at Graf Growers this time of year likely is, “When will the corn be ready?” The answer is, “It’s hard to say,” said Lisa Graf. Planting the business’s signature product was a challenge in the cool, rainy spring, but the recent hot and humid weather should hasten its development and it’s likely Graf’s famous corn will be available late this month, two or three weeks later than usual, she said.

Although the family business is renowned for its sweet corn, it’s more than just a vegetable grower.

Lisa Graf said the combination of vegetable farm, farm market (which opens Thursday) and garden center makes the business nearly unique. Only six to eight similar businesses can be found in the national business association to which Graf Growers belongs, she said.

“We think our customers see it as being special, too,” she said. “People feel like they’re part of the family when they shop here,” she added.

Lisa Graf said the staff has a commitment to quality, carefully choosing products and vendors for its retail operations. “For the farm market, we want things that taste good,” she said. They also work to make plant selections that will be successful for the gardeners who purchase them. At the end of the season, she said, everyone gets together to evaluate how they did. “We ask what worked well and what didn’t,” she said. “We’re constantly evaluating,” she said.

How long have you been in business?

John and Janice Graf started a vegetable farm on leased land along White Pond Drive in 1961. Twenty years later they purchased the acreage along with the farm market and garden center now known as Graf Growers. The business now is owned and operated by John’s and Janice’s children, Lisa, Scott and Craig. Janice Graf still works in the business and is part of the management team.

How many people are employed?

Graf Growers employs about 40 people, including owners Lisa, Scott and Craig. Some employees are full-time, while others are part-time or seasonal.

Where is the company headquartered?

Headquarters for Graf Growers is 1015 White Pond Drive, where the farm market and garden center are located. The Grafs farm about 45 acres, all of which are along White Pond Drive.

What is your product/service?

Graf Growers’ business is primarily from three sources – the vegetable farm and its farm market, the garden center and its landscaping and design arm.

April, May and June are primary months for the garden center. Lisa Graf estimates about 75 percent of the annuals sold at the garden center are grown on the premises. The Grafs also grow some perennials on site, but do not grow shrubs or trees.

Beginning in July, the bulk of the business comes from the vegetable farm and farm market. Although the emphasis is on the farm market, Graf Growers still stocks fresh hanging baskets and blooming summer annuals which allow customers to freshen up their gardens or replace plants which haven’t performed as expected, Lisa Graf said. The farm market sells Graf-grown corn – its signature product – as well as Graf-grown tomatoes, pumpkins and cut flowers. The Grafs have local sources for seasonal vegetables such as green beans, peaches, peppers, lettuces, radishes, green onions, squash and eggplant. In fall, they sell locally grown concord grapes and prune plums.

The landscape and design portion of the business is the newest – about six years old, Lisa Graf said. It provides any level of service the customer wants, and much of its business is in renovating existing landscapes, freshening them and improving the home’s curb appeal, she said. Lisa Graf said the landscape business was a natural extension of the garden center with many customers saying they would buy the plant if Graf Growers would plant it. Graf Growers will design as well as install landscaping elements such as patios and firepits. She said she thought the business was so successful because customers valued Graf Growers plant knowledge and trusted the established business.

What is your goal for the company?

Lisa Graf said she and her siblings really value their agricultural and horticultural heritage as well as the opportunity to continue a family business. She said Graf Growers wants to continue to be a big part of its community. “We want to be relevant to our customers,” she said, which means changing the business as their customers’ need change. “We want people to be successful gardeners whether they buy one plant or a landscape,” she said. Continuation of the business also is important to the Grafs. “We want to grow our business and work hard to grow it every day,” she added. Although it’s too early to tell for certain, Lisa Graf said she thought it was a “distinct possibility” one or more of Scott Graf’s children could become involved in the business, allowing it to pass to one more generation.

Graf Growers is located at 1015 White Pond Drive in Copley. Hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.