Politics & Government
Letter to the Editor: PURE Gardener Owners Say Please Don't Tear Down History
"It would be a great loss for the community to replace this gem with a new bank drive-through and parking lot."
To the Editor:
On Monday afternoon, we, Annette and Craig MacLean, owners of The PURE Gardener, 502 W. State St., Geneva, were told of plans to replace the building and our current garden center business, with a new bank drive through and parking lot.
The project is proposed by St. Charles Bank and Trust, part of Wintrust Financial Corporation, based in Lake Forest, IL, with assets over $15 billion dollars, according to their website.
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The historic building became home to The PURE Gardener in November 2006, when former owner and auto repair operator Joe Kuchera sold the building to Joe Stanton. The closing and later demolition of Geneva Greenhouse on Western Avenue left us without a place to work, but we were able to lease the property from Stanton to open as a garden center, which we continue to operate.
The focus of The PURE Gardener, has been to provide the community with a source of gardening information and products which are safer, healthier and more responsible to use. Our slogan, "We give excellent service, naturally," is an extension of our awareness of the superior results obtained through organic products and practices. We do not sell chemical poisons. We freely share our knowledge within our community so that everyone has the chance to be happier, healthier and more environmentally responsible.
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This historic building on the Lincoln Highway map, and pictured in books and articles, attracts tourists from all over the country every year. It would be a great loss for the community to replace this gem with a new bank drive-through and parking lot. A similar former Pure Oil building in Saratoga Springs, NY, was faced with demolition in 1976, but was moved and saved for continued use as a viable business.
Annette and I would like to continue to provide our knowledge and service. We are blessed that we can work, live and raise our family in Geneva. We are grateful for the support of all of our customers and friends, who keep us going.
Annette and Craig MacLean
owners of The PURE Gardener,
Geneva
