Neuhouser closed after 35 years in business

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) A Fort Wayne business is closing its doors, citing the poor economy and the extreme heat and drought this summer as some of the reasons.  Neuhouser Nursery, Neuhouser Garden & Gifts and Neuhouser Landscaping will all end business operations.

In a press release issued by Neuhouser Tuesday morning, the company blamed the poor economy and the drought for hurting sales to the point the company could no longer stay in business. Neuhouser also indicated that once the recession hit, it was hard to find lending institutions willing to help and the bank it had done business with for over 30 years dropped the company's annual line of credit overnight.

“Regardless of attempting to meet such challenges, I am so very happy and grateful to have been a part of the Ft. Wayne horticulture & business community for so long,” said the owner, Kenton Neuhouser.  "We’re going to miss our customers very much.  We’ve had very loyal customers over the years.  Some of the best customers we could ask for, that’s for sure."

At least 20 employees are out of a job thanks to the closures, some of which were informed the week before the announcement.

Neuhouser plans to complete all remaining contracted work.  Customers are asked to email any questions or comments for any of the Neuhouser stores to info@neuhouser.com. 

Neuhouser Landscaping began in 1977 by Joseph Neuhouser - and evolved to include a small Retail Nursery on Stellhorn Rd. (managed by his brother, Kenton Neuhouser). Kenton purchased the Company & expanded the Garden Center 25 years ago. The Business grew again when it opened the Garden & Gift store on Jefferson Blvd. in 1994.