Your Friends at Primex Garden Center
David Green, Owner
David’s grandfather, Bill Green, founded Primex in 1943. David began working at the store when he was a teen. After graduating Upper Dublin High School in 1972 he started full time work in the warehouse. From that time he worked his way through the ranks eventually working alongside his dad Gordon, purchasing and helping manage the store. In 1984 he became part owner and in 1991 he became sole proprietor with his wife Joan Lagan. Throughout the year, David and staff attend numerous trade shows to continue developing the diverse product mix Primex has become known for.
David has overseen Primex’s many expansions and attributes the growth of the business to its relationship with the customers and devoted, knowledgeable staff. “Our partnership with our community through 4 generations is absolutely gratifying. The business naturally requires full time attention to every detail. We have big shoes to fill and are constantly striving to anticipate our customers’ needs. We are so pleased to continually see the interest in gardening evolve and grow.”
David and Joan are proud grandparents of their daughter Katelyn’s kids, Caleb and Emery Ginsberg. Katelyn’s husband Dan has been working alongside David for close to 17 years. Their son Marshall is owner and chef of Cafe’ Estelle, winner of Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best of Philly” (best brunch). “For a great breakfast or lunch, I couldn’t think of a better place. We invite you to enjoy that side of our family’s business.”
Joan Lagan, Owner
In 1975, Joan started as a sales person and display designer. Today, she is an owner of Primex with her husband David with a specialty in plant diagnosis and turf maintenance. If you’re having a problem with a plant (insect or disease), bring in a sample for Joan to recommend a treatment. She can also help you develop a healthy lawn by pointing out the right soil amendments, seed, and maintenance practices you should provide for your individual site and conditions. Joan also purchases all of the flower and vegetable seeds, and still assists with store displays.
Anne Myers, Store Manager
With a lifetime of experience in the horticulture industry and a degree in biology, Anne has been the Manager of Primex since 1990. Anne’s experience growing up on a fruit farm provides her with a wealth of knowledge about fruit- and vegetable-related issues. Ornamental plant and turf disease diagnosis, pest identification, and the correct treatment for these problems are also her strong suits. Anne can provide advice on a multitude of horticultural topics—from establishing a new lawn or caring for a backyard pond, to installing an above-ground irrigation system. If there is an item that Primex does not carry, Anne will do her best to locate and order that product for you. In her spare time, Anne enjoys canning tomatoes and peaches. She also makes a mean jar of bread and butter pickles!
Danny Ginsberg, Manager
Danny started at Primex in 1993 in a seasonal warehouse position, and became a full-time employee in 2003. Danny’s responsibilities include sales, buying, computer operations, and replenishing store products. Contractors and landscapers who have questions about product and pricing rely on him, and Danny can also sometimes be seen at the register, where he cheerfully pitches in when the need presents itself. Together with his wife, Katelyn (greenhouse staff consultant, bio below), Danny is the proud parent of two sons: Caleb and Emery, the future fifth generation of Primex.
Nickie Goldstein, Assistant Buyer and Customer Sales and Service
Nickie has been in the garden center industry for 17 years, and holds a degree in biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Before joining Primex in 2009, she worked at Bucks Country Gardens, where she was the dry goods manager and buyer, and also ran the aquatics department. In her current role at Primex, she works in sales, and also handles buying pottery among other items. Nickie grew up on a farm in Bucks County, where her family raised and sold vegetables and strawberries. Nickie has always enjoyed running and, of course, gardening—especially veggies and perennials. Nickie also likes aquatics, and used her knowledge of this field to build her own pond.
Jennifer Hendricks, Customers Sales and Community Outreach
jennifer@primexgardencenter.com
Jennifer joined Primex in 2008 while attending Temple University’s School of Environmental Design in Ambler, PA. She graduated in the spring of 2010 with a B.S. in Horticulture and a certificate in Sustainable Design. After graduating, she took an internship with Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia where she learned valuable hands-on experience with native plants and ecological restoration. Jenn is a certified Tree Tender and Garden Tender volunteer with the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society and has experience working with community gardens both in the city and at local schools. Her specialty is in urban and small space vegetable gardening, including gardening in raised beds and containers. In her spare time, Jenn can be found cultivating vegetables (what else!) on her community plots at the Schuylkill Environmental Center and the East Rittenhouse Community Garden in Germantown.
Mia Mengucci, PCH, Jack of All Trades
Mia joined Primex in 2005. Formerly an assistant manager of a local garden center, Mia is a PLNA-certified horticulturist with experience in interior plantscaping, greenhouse management, and turf maintenance. She volunteers at the Phildadelphia International Flower Show, and is a Gardener’s Studio guest speaker and lecturer. Mia teaches various gardening classes through MALT (Mount Airy Learning Tree). A member of PHS’ Tree Tenders Advisory Committee, she also co-chairs the WMAN Streetscapes Committee, helping to plant and maintain trees in her neighborhood of W. Mt Airy in Philadelphia. Mia’s pastimes include cycling and enjoying a fine cigar.
Gloria Foran, Customer Sales and Service
An invaluable member of the Primex team since 2004, Gloria’s specialty is organics! She enjoys starting her own seeds for her chemical-free vegetable garden, and continually keeps herself abreast of the latest and greatest organic products, techniques, and garden solutions. Among many other topics, Gloria can answer any questions on how to attract and feed birds, start your own seeds, or which organic plants, fertilizers, and other products would be best for you. Gloria obtained her love for gardening from her grandmother, who grew up on a farm and gardened well into her 80’s. A nurturer by nature, Gloria loves to attract birds and butterflies to her garden, tend to her pond, care for her shade and wildflower gardens, and assist her neighbors and customers with their gardening questions and concerns. Gloria is also an amateur photographer; she especially loves training her lens on landscapes and plants.
Marcia, Human Resources
Marcia has been a part of Primex since 1976, and currently handles human resources. She is a former teacher, and a graduate of New York University. A grandmother of five, Marcia has already introduced her grandchildren to gardening. In her spare time, Marcia enjoys playing bridge, and also loves puzzles. She averages nine to eleven minutes on the New York Times’ Monday crossword puzzle, and her record is a staggering seven minutes. Even more impressive, Marcia only works in pen!
Bill Craig, Nursery Buyer and Co-Manager
Whether you’re an expert or novice, you’ll enjoy working with Bill. Though you won’t get him in front of a camera, Bill’s expertise will guide you in finding the right plants for the right spot, as well as identification and diagnosis of insect and disease. William Craig is a Certified Arborist (cert # PD-1652A), has a degree in biology, and over 25 years of horticultural experience. In his spare time, Bill restores motorcycles—especially bikes from the 1970s.
Tom Horn, Nursery Buyer and Co-Manager
tomhorn@primexgardencenter.com
With a bachelor of science in horticulture from Delaware Valley College, Tom is skilled at garden and landscape design. Sign up for the “We Plan, You Plant” program, and Tom will help you develop a garden plan for your designated area. Tom, a valuable full-time Primex employee, has been a part of our nursery staff since 1996. Along with Bill C., he is a Nursery Buyer and Co-Manager. When he’s not at Primex or working in his garden, Tom enjoys playing golf.
Denise Kammer, Greenhouse Manager
Denise joined our greenhouse staff in 2004. Certified in floral design, Denise has previously owned and operated her own floral business. With a love of flowers since childhood, her passion is evident in the joyful way that she attends to her job. Denise’s new role as co-manager of the greenhouse includes selecting, ordering and maintaining greenhouse plants. Visit Denise for unique planter and container garden designs and ideas.
Margie Robbins, Customer Sales and Service
Margie joined Primex in 2009. She works in the nursery in the height of the season, and moves to the greenhouse in the off-peak months. She is our self-described “default orchid expert,” and holds a degree in horticulture from Delaware Valley College. Margie’s draws on her extensive experience working at Morris Arboretum and the Highlands Historical Society to assist customers with any of their gardening needs. When she’s not at Primex, Margie’s enjoys training and competing in dog agility. She has four lovable canines.
Fred, Customer Sales and Service
Fred brings over 30 years of horticultural experience to Primex. His background is in wholesale nurseries, grounds keeping, ornamental pest control, turf grass, and landscaping. You’ll find him in the nursery where he is eager to assist you with trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. When he’s not at Primex, Fred enjoys building wooden boats, and restoring and riding vintage motorcycles.
Carolyn, Customer Sales and Service
After joining the Primex team in March 2002, Carolyn quickly made a niche for herself in the annual and perennial departments of our nursery. Carolyn also has knowledge of trees, shrubs, and houseplants. She has many years of experience in the garden center industry and completed the Phila. County Master Gardener’s Program. Carolyn completed her final project on “Evergreens and the Urban Landscape,” and includes everything from evergreens to veggies in her own varied landscape. Carolyn also enjoys “butterfly gardening”—the art of cultivating plants that attract butterflies (as well as hummingbirds!). Carolyn presents workshops on this topic at Primex.
Barry, Customer Sales and Service
Barry joined Primex in March of 2006 after a 35 year career of service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His appreciation of trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables make him a natural addition to our nursery staff. Since 2000, Barry has been studying and practicing the art of Bonsai under internationally renowned masters Chase Rosade of New Hope, PA and Salvatore Liporace, of Milan, Italy. Barry’s expertise with Bonsai, and his desire to share his knowledge, enhances the excellent service that he provides to our customers. Personally, Barry currently has over 100 Bonsai trees or trees-in-training. He also enjoys sharing his knowledge with his grandchildren, growing a Bonsai from a seedling for each youngster.
Katelyn, Consultant
A fourth generation Green family Primex ownership, Katelyn has grown up at Primex. A lifetime of horticulture exposure has provided Katelyn the background necessary to train our current greenhouse staff. Our greenhouse is a spectacular reflection of our staff’s ability to select, purchase and maintain a vast variety of houseplants, annuals and herbs. Katelyn is currently nurturing the fifth generation of Greens, but remains a vital part of our operation.
Tom K., Warehouse Manager
Tom started with Primex in 1999 as a part-time warehouse employee and soon became an invaluable full-time staff member. Tom’s responsibilities as a Warehouse Manager include computer operations, ordering products, and keeping the machinery updated. When he’s not in the warehouse, Tom spends every second he can with his daughter, Morgan Elizabeth. Tom also enjoys rooting for the Phillies and the Flyers.
Carlos, Primary Driver and Warehouse Team Member
If you’ve ever received a delivery of mulch or topsoil from Primex, chances are good that you’ve already experienced Carlos’ accuracy in dropping your order just where you want it. When he’s not on a delivery, you’ll find him loading your car or behind the counter assisting you with selecting merchandise.
Chloe
Queen Chloe is our first feline employee. Though she is not the most sociable cat, Chloe is an excellent mouser. During the day you can often find her lounging in any available patch of sunlight that she can find or asleep on our gift shop bench. Clawless, Chloe can not scratch, but children beware, she has been known to bite.
Rascal
True to his name, Rascal, is a little bundle of energy. Rascal loves running through the store, exploring in the warehouse, wandering through the greenhouse, fishing for Koi in the pond area and generally torturing Chloe. He is a lovable cat that enjoys having his neck scratched and being petted, however, he does not like being picked up. Rascal is great with children.