Deep Roots
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What is now Skinner Garden Store started out as a wholesale nursery in the Kaw River Valley over 130 years ago.
When founder Joseph Henry Skinner planted the nursery in 1886, the fertile river valley soil provided the perfect environment for cultivating apple tree seedlings. At the time, the demand for fruit trees was high, and the reputation of Skinner’s stock spread fast.
As society changed with new food storage and grocery technology, the market for fruit trees diminished while demand rose for ornamental shrubs, flowers, evergreens, and shade trees. In 1956, the third generation of Skinners–brothers named Ralph and Hank–expanded the nursery wholesale business with a new garden center retail space, which today remains Skinner Garden Store.
The garden center became known as the place to come for supplies and advice year round. Its manager Don Roepke eventually purchased the retail space.
Meanwhile, the nursery continued fulfilling wholesale orders until the Skinner brothers passed away in the early 1980s. At that point, the wholesale nursery came under the leadership of a son and a grandson of the Skinner brothers, who eventually decided to cease its operation.
The grandson, Jim Skinner, went to work for the Garden Store and now operates the landscaping service, bringing a lifetime of nursery experience to that role.
Don Roepke ran Skinner Garden Store until he retired in 1990, selling half the interest to long-time Skinner general manager Jack Rees, from the Rees Fruit Farm family. Jack’s son Cameron joined him in the business and they worked alongside each other until 2009, when Jack retired.
These days, Cameron Rees and the rest of the Skinner Garden Store team continue the deep-rooted legacy of devotion to plants and their people with quality products and garden answers.
Meet Our Plant People
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Bryan Boyce
NURSERY SALES
Ask me for help with:
Any of your tree or shrub questions
If I were a plant or tree, I would be:
Money Tree
Favorite plant or tree at home:
Redbud
Year started with Skinner’s:
2015
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Brian Buhler
NURSERY MANAGER
Ask me for help with:
Food
If I were a plant or tree, I would be:
Cottonwood
Favorite plant or tree at home:
Butterfly Magnolia
Year started with Skinner’s:
2008
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Misty Brown
GREENHOUSE MANAGER
Ask me for help with:
Putting together a beautiful container garden for any season
If I were a plant or tree, I would be:
A Hardy Hibiscus
Favorite plant or tree at home:
Little Quickfire Hydrangea
Year started with Skinner’s:
2010
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Carol Duncan
CASHIER
Ask me for help with:
General garden information
If I were a plant or a tree I would be:
Ninebark
Favorite plant or tree at home:
Prairie Mimosa
Year started at Skinners:
2020
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Bonnie Huber
ASSISTANT MANAGER
Ask me for help with:
Perennials & Annuals
If I were a plant or tree, I would be:
Hosta
Favorite plant or tree at home:
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Year started with Skinner’s:
2010
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Bruno Langer
NURSERY SALES
Ask me for help with:
Planting a bush or a tree
If I were a plant or tree, I would be:
White Fir
Favorite plant or tree at home:
Norway Spruce or Yellow Magnolia
Year started with Skinner’s:
2018
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Pedro Lopez
ASSISTANT MANAGER
Ask me for help with:
Pruning or planting. Trees are the answer!
If I were a plant or tree, I would be:
Burr Oak
Favorite plant or tree at home:
Redbud
Year started with Skinner’s:
2002
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Mukesh Patel
NURSERY SALES
Ask me for help with:
Hot, spicy food
If I were a plant or tree, I would be:
Hot chile pepper
Favorite plant or tree at home:
Red Rose
Year started with Skinner’s:
2016
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CAMERON REES
GENERAL MANAGER
Ask me for help with:
Your garden
If I were a plant or tree, I would be:
Burr Oak
Favorite plant or tree at home:
Weeping White Spruce
Year started with Skinner’s:
1982
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Tina Rees
ASSISTANT MANAGER
Ask me for help with:
How to make a pie like your grandmother used to
If I were a plant or tree, I would be:
Mohawk Viburnum
Favorite plant or tree at home:
Sugar Maple
Year started with Skinner’s:
2006
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Jim Skinner
LANDSCAPING SUPERVISOR
Ask me for help with:
Planting trees or landscaping
If I were a plant or tree, I would be:
Burr Oak
Favorite plant or tree at home:
Red Oak
Year started with Skinner’s:
1992
CAREERS
CAREERS
Join our team.
FOR SPRING & SUMMER 2024: To be considered for any position, come in to the store, fill out an application, and participate in a quick interview. No appointment is necessary! All interviews are done on a walk-in basis, during normal business hours.