Geiger’s leaves Westport for New Canaan

BY HUGH BAILEY
Hearst Connecticut Media

After 62 years, business is changing for Geiger’s Home and Garden, along with its home base.

The longtime landmark at 1135 Post Road E. in Westport has decamped for New Canaan, along with reducing emphasis on the nursery portion of its business and putting greater focus on the design and build aspect.

“Today, our growth is propelled by the continuing demand for upscale home and garden services,” said Frank Geiger Sr., the company’s owner, listing landscape architecture, renovation and swimming pool construction among areas of focus. “Geiger’s has been expanding its home and garden service divisions for decades and has decided to focus its resources primarily in these areas.”

The family-owned company has hired more than 25 people in the last year, including architects, woodworkers and horticulturists. Geiger’s still has a design studio in Westport, at Sconset Square, and in Greenwich, in addition to office space in Fairfield and Scarsdale, N.Y. But its largest property is in New Canaan and reflects the changing times.

Father and son Frank and John Geiger celebrated 60 years in business at Geiger’s in April 2013. Photo by Brian A. Pounds

“We can come in and design a garden or a full landscape, and build or add whatever is needed for the project,” said Sonya Finch, head of marketing for Geiger’s. “That can include waterfalls, sidewalks, a pool ”“ whatever part of the equation you want to jump into.”

The company also performs maintenance and has expanded its building operation.

“For a lot of people, when we come in, there’s a lot that needs to be done,” Finch said. “In some cases, that’s not necessary, but we’ll do the ground work, and then they want the pergolas and everything else in the same style. We make it so it all flows and it’s all seamless.”

One company that does a variety of work makes life easier on customers, she said.

“I know for me as a homeowner, when I have to hire this guy for one thing and then someone else for the other, it gets complicated,” she said. “It almost makes you want to not do the project. This puts people at ease because it’s all under one umbrella.”

As the higher-end work has increased, the nursery business has fallen off. That’s due in part to more people buying flowers from places like Stop & Shop or The Home Depot, and also reflective of company preferences, Finch said.

“People are going to other places, and that’s part of it,” she said. “Also, the founder of our company, Frank Geiger, is very focused on landscapes, and his son is also. The goals of the company have changed a little over the years.”

The move to Frogtown Road in New Canaan puts the company in a location more central to its customer base, which spans Fairfield County and Westchester County.

“We’ve been very welcome here,” said office manager Brigita Geiger, who said the new 2.5-acre space made up for a lack of breathing room in Westport. “They don’t have anyone like us.”

Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe said a mixed-use development is slated for Geiger’s former location, with retail and multifamily housing. A portion of the housing will be deemed affordable under local zoning regulations. Construction is expected to begin soon.

Hearst Connecticut Media includes four daily newspapers: Connecticut Post, Greenwich Time, The Advocate (Stamford) and The News Times (Danbury). See ctpost.com for more from this reporter.