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An Offshoot Takes Root--Hollandia Gift And Garden Set To Open

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An Offshoot Takes Root––

Hollandia Gift And Garden Set To Open

By Dottie Evans

Passersby driving Route 6 west of the flagpole to the Newtown/Bethel line cannot fail to notice a heightened level of activity in the form of landscaping and remodeling that is taking place on the site of what was once a large, vacant retail store and parking lot.

If they wondered what was coming, the mystery was solved a week ago when a new sign went up outside the front entrance.

Hollandia Gift And Garden at 95 Stony Hill Road is set to open Thursday, November 20, and despite all the construction work still underway, co-owners Eugene Reelick and Ken Kolicz say they will be ready.

The two partners seem in constant motion as they direct and coordinate contractors and sub-contractors in the creation of a new retail space for the sale of garden goods, holiday items, and gifts, that will be not only spacious but attractive and welcoming. Since acquiring the 5½-acre property several months ago, they have accomplished a great deal.

The sprawling, greenhouselike structure with its series of arched display areas has been completely transformed on the outside through the addition of treated cedar shingles to exterior walls, installation of an entrance driveway paved with Belgard stone, and a natural fieldstone entryway.

Inside, the improvements are equally impressive. Fieldstone decorates an interior wall, and one can imagine ranks of red, pink, and white poinsettias arranged on the new cedar display benches, which were recently handmade and shipped from Vermont.

Painted brick walls line the greenhouse rooms, adding warmth to the cavernous interior spaces, and terra-cotta tiles dress up the front checkout countertops. A circulating waterfall and pond has been built to the left of the entrance door.

“In a way, you could say this is going to be like an expanded Hollandia –– it’s an offshoot, a transplant, from the original which, of course, can never be duplicated,” said Mr Reelick.

“Same great product, second great location, is the way we like to think of this,” he added.

Mr Reelick was referring to Hollandia Nurseries at 103 Old Hawleyville Road, Bethel, which has been owned and operated by his parents, Hans and Sally Reelick, for the past 40 years. The new garden store will be operated as an adjunct to the first Hollandia, though its focus is not intended to include the extensive greenhouse growing environments and mature surrounding gardens that are trademark features of the parent establishment.

Instead, Eugene Reelick and Mr Kolicz hope Hollandia Gift and Garden will serve as an additional focus for area shoppers who are looking for all manner of gardening supplies, perennials, potted plants, Christmas trees and wreaths, masonry supplies, tools, and garden-related gifts.

“And they won’t have to wade through mulch to see it all,” Mr Reelick added.

Although they do not anticipate having all of these items in the store by next week’s opening, they do plan on being fully stocked in time for the Grand Opening in March 2004.

“That’s been set to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Hollandia. It will be an unbelievable celebration for all of us,” Mr Reelick added.

When it is completed, Hollandia Gift and Garden will have enough room to display the sorts of large garden furniture, patio tables and chairs, and outdoor grills that the parent store could not accommodate. Meanwhile, when the doors open next Thursday, Hollandia Gift and Garden will offer greenhouse plants, holiday decorations and pottery, with Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands soon to follow.

“We hope people will stop in, just to see how nice it looks,” said Mr Reelick.

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