A Little About Us
In August of 1969, Jim Ellison,
his wife Ellen, and their three children, Chuck, Margie, and PJ,
moved to Brenham, Texas and began building ten small, wood-frame,
plastic greenhouses on the site where houses "D" and
"E" stand today. At that time, it was Jims goal
to grow greenhouse tomatoes as he had been doing elsewhere for
the previous seven years.
With help only from the family and an occasional friend or two,
building the greenhouses took over a year to complete. By fall,
1971, the first full tomato crop was planted. The profit from
that first full year of production was totally inadequate; therefore,
economics forced Ellisons Greenhouses into floral production.
This was the beginning of Ellisons Greenhouses rapid growth,
size, and market rise.
In the summer of 1973, our first
major expansion included the main building and "A" house,
which housed mums, Kalanchoes, and holiday productions. Foliage
plants were becoming very popular, so in 1974 "B" house
was built solely for green plant production. In 1975 and 1976,
"C" house was constructed for foliage plants and the
northern end of the main building was added for shipping space.
Ellisons Greenhouses also became a Corporation in 1976.
In 1977, "G" house was constructed, as well as the soil
building.
1978 was the year of the BIG change.
As all ten of the original greenhouses were dismantled, "D"
and "E" were constructed in their place. Another addition
was made to the southern end of the main building, and new offices
were constructed.
Still bigger things were to come.
In 1980 we expanded on the 32-acre sight on County Road 66. First
came "H" house, then "J" and "I".
This location became known as the Heights. In 1983, we decided
to try some outside foliage production in shade houses. Now there
are two shade houses at the Heights location. 1990 brought other
changes. Mr. "E" was elected Chairman of the Board and
Mrs. "E" was elected President and C.E.O. of the company.
We also added a small house, "K", for starting "outside"
high light crops. An outside area similar to the shade houses
for "high light" production is under construction.
The year 2000 brought new changes,
Mr. and Mrs. Ellison sold the business, assets, name, and trademark
to their youngest daughter, P.J. As of July 1, 2000, P.J. now
owns the business and is the current President and C.E.O. for
Sonnys Texas Posies Company dba Ellisons Greenhouses,
Inc. The Ellison's still own and manage the Heights location at
this time.
Ellisons Greenhouses,
Inc. intends to continue expansion as it is capable of opening
new markets and training competent personnel who are ambitious
and capable of growing with us. Our goal is not necessarily to
be the biggest greenhouse in Texas, but it is set on being the
best!