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Armstrong Growers Acquires Do Right's Plant Growers04-23-15 | News

Armstrong Growers Acquires Do Right's Plant Growers

Armstrong Garden Centers was established in 1889, and is the largest independent retail nursery in California with 32 locations and three growing facilities.

Armstrong Growers www.armstronggrowers.com, a division of Armstrong Garden Centers Inc., of Glendora, Calif., has acquired the business assets of Do Right's Plant Growers in Santa Paula, Calif. Do Right's staff will now become part of the employee-owned, 126-year old company Armstrong Garden Centers brand.

Armstrong Growers operates three growing facilities in California and one in Georgia. These sites will coordinate with the new site in Santa Paula. The official transfer of ownership is set for June 1, 2015.

Armstrong Growers had outgrown its site in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. and looked for a way to continue its growth and allow room for future expansion.

"I knew we needed to be in a climate similar to what we have in San Juan Capistrano, so Ventura County was where I started the search," said James Russell, vice president of Armstrong Growers.

Faced with the option of building from the ground up or acquiring an operating nursery, Russell contacted the owners of Do Right's Nursery as a possible solution.

"Knowing the owners through friendly competition, I respectfully asked if they were interested in selling the business," said Russell.

Armstrong Growers has a solid presence in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. Do Right's has a strong presence in Northern and Southern California.

For Do Right's owners, it allows them to retire after 44 successful years in business.

"The business has been a labor of love," said Dudley Davis, owner and president of Do Right's Plant Growers. "It will be great to see Armstrong Growers continue to operate on our property."

Armstrong Growers will continue with many of the plants offered by Do Right's, and blend in Armstrong's product mix. Both growers remain dedicated to independent garden centers.

Armstrong Growers will vacate its San Juan Capistrano site by the end of this summer. Plans have been underway for two years to expand its Fallbrook facility to accommodate the move.