A little 8' by 12' hobby greenhouse in the backyard of Dan and Joan Milaeger was the seed that grew into the Milaeger's of today.
Ten years later, the couple offered their first crop of annuals from a 30' by 90' greenhouse at the newly purchased Douglas Avenue site.
Their creativity, energy and spirit of willingness to do whatever was right for the customer propelled the business into continued expansion. Today, the company has over 90 greenhouses, all open to any gardener who seeks the pure enjoyment of viewing a crop of color in its growing environment. Thousands of specialty annuals, bedding plants, vegetables, perennials, and pot crops such as poinsettias are carefully nurtured, offering the consumer the widest array of plant material in the Midwest.
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In addition, Milaeger's offers nearly every variety of hardy trees, shrubs, evergreens, roses and pond plants suitable for climate conditions of zone 5 and Wisconsin. The brightest and best plant material is selected from the finest nurseries in the US for your gardening pleasure.
Garden goods were first sold in the boiler room of the greenhouse. This small room also included a cot for the Milaeger children and a stove for Joan, who often cooked an evening meal onsite. Since there were no employees at this time, the family could not leave until closing time.
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The range of garden-based products has grown over the years to include everything from garden essentials such as fertilizer, soils, and tools to items for accessorizing outdoor living, including wind chimes, fountains, pottery, garden memorials, patio furniture, and
a wide array of yard art.
Milaeger's dedication to beautifying lifestyle led to the inclusion of home décor items in their product mix. Accessory furniture, lamps, framed printed, small rugs, nautical items, tabletop and culinary products, fragrances, candles and potpourri are just a sampling of the many gift and home decorating categories that are currently offered.
In addition, Milaeger's specializes in casual apparel and footwear for women, offering unique items and favorites such as Not Your Daughter's Jeans (NYDJ), Jag Jeans, French Dressing, Tribal, Born Shoes, Dansko, Earth, Sofft and more. |
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Accessories include Very Bradley, Brighton,Trollbeads, and many more wonderful bling things that make women happy. Personal care features The Thymes, Jack Black, andCrabtree and Evelyn.
In the 1950s, before the Milaeger business was started, Dan and Joan Milaeger supplemented their income by making winter grave decorations such as evergreen sprays (or blankets) and wreaths which they placed on graves for their customers who wanted a decoration on the graves of their family members at Christmas. Joan also made corsages that she peddled to drug stores, dime stores and corner bars. |
This interest in Christmas led to an infatuation with collectible ornaments, artificial Christmas trees (which Milaeger's called Almost Real Trees), and wonderful holiday figures, including Santas, snowmen, angels, and activities. Today, Milaeger's is recognized as one of the nation's top retailers of glass ornaments from prestigious designers such asPatricia Breen, Egyptian Museum, Old World Christmas, Ne'Qwa, de Carlini Italian Glass,Ornaments to Remember, Jingle Nog,Christopher Radko, Patience Brewster and more.
Milaeger's first embraced the idea of artificial trees in the 1960s with aluminum trees complete with colorwheels and later the original poly molded trees. Because many Milaeger's customers are avid ornament collectors, special trees were designed by the family to accommodate large ornament collections and to exhibit the ornaments in the best way possible on a lifelike tree. Currently, Milaeger's offers American made trees, custom built at Milaeger's to customer's size specifications. Milaeger's also imports its own exclusively designed prelit Christmas trees from China. In addition, the family is continually sourcing novelty trees, such as wire branch trees, as additional possibilities for ornament display in the home. |
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Since the corsage era of the '50s, the floral industry has always been of great importance to the Milaeger family. Artificial florals have seen a great evolution from plastic flowers to exquisite, botanically correct replications of nature, and Milaeger's has always embraced the finest materials as new innovations emerge. Milaeger's Design Center offers custom floral work - artificial or real - for residential and commercial applications from one arrangement to decorations for a grandiose event or elaborate wedding. Specialties include Holiday decorating, both inside and outside.
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The company says, "Something wonderful is always happening at Milaeger's" and, in addition to its many special events through the year, merchandise at Milaeger's continues to evolve as taste change and trends emerge. You can be sure that Milaeger's will be here with the right items to enhance your home and garden lifestyle.
Milaeger's wants to thank their loyal customers who, through their support, make it possible for Milaeger's to offer the Best of Everything!
Java Garden Cafe
Many visitors to Milaeger's have traveled a significant distance, and
when they arrive, the first thing on their mind is something to eat or
drink. Our Java Garden Cafe, located just inside our Racine and
Sturtevant stores, is an oasis for the traveler as well as our locals.
Specialty coffees, teas, and real fruit smoothies top the list of beverages; in addition, wines, beers from Wisconsin breweries, spectacular Bloody Marys, and other alcoholic beverages are available at our Racine location. Alcohol is permissible on the entire Racine campus, and many guests choose to enjoy their drink while shopping or strolling through the greenhouses.
Our Cafe offers a wide array of soups made fresh daily, hot or cold sandwiches, such as veggie wraps, paninis . . . and wonderful fresh baked cookies, muffins and scones.
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In order to serve you more efficiently, we suggest making reservations for large groups. If desired, private seating is available in our Seminar Room. Special menu selections are available with advance request.
Cafe Hours
Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm
Thursday 9am-8pm - Taco Thursday!
Sunday 9:30am-5pm
Click here for our menu. |
Taco Thursday!
11:00am - close
Both Locations! |
Come in and try our Daily Soups |
Hard or Soft Tacos
$1.99 each or 3/$5.00
Your choice of fixin's!
Nachos are also available
$3.99 cheese only or
Supreme at $6.49
Best tacos in town! |
Monday |
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Chicken Noodle and Chili * |
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Tuesday |
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Mushroom |
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Wednesday |
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Vegetable and Chili * |
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Thursday |
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Baja Chicken Enchilada |
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Friday |
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Seafood / Chowder |
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Saturday |
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Potato and Chili * |
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Sunday |
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Chef's Choice |
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* served seasonally |
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Dan Milaeger standing next
to the original greenhouse
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