TLC Florist & Greenhouses, Inc.

TLC Florist & Greenhouses was incorporated in June 1980 with the idea of providing quality plants, reasonable prices and a unique shopping adventure. Home grown plants, decent economic times and generous public acceptance of the plant megamarket concept proved to be a successful combination. Gradually we enlarged and expanded as the demand increased until today we operate three garden centers with over 150,000 sq. ft. of greenhouses and over 10 acres of trees and shrubs.

Each year, we carefully plan our expansion or improvements to fill a need of customer convenience and company efficiency. This has allowed us to grow at a controlled rate and keep the banker friendly (most of the time). Following is a quick history of our growth:

In November 1980, we opened TLC Plant Shop and Greenhouses Inc. at 105 W. Memorial Road.

In 1981 we expanded our production area and sales space, including the addition of a full service floral shop. Greenhouse production area has been increased almost every year since. To better reflect our floral interests, our corporate name was changed to TLC Florist & Greenhouses, Inc.

In 1982, a small self service nursery yard was added to our greenhouse operation. In February 1984 we got serious in the nursery business. Our nursery area now covers over 10 acres and includes a busy landscape design and installation division as well as one of the largest selections of trees and shrubs in the area.

In 1992, we added an 80,000 sq. ft. storage, maintenance and production building. The head-house part of this building houses soil mixing, seeding, transplanting operations and grower's headquarters.

From the beginning, TLC has always encouraged customer interest and involvement in the growing operation. Our greenhouse sales area has always been an active growing area. Currently it comprises over 40,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse space open to the public. Frequent tours of the entire range are conducted for classes and other groups.

In November 1991, we opened TLC Northwest, at 8208 N.W. Expressway. TLC Northwest includes a large showroom area, approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse sales area and a small orderly nursery yard.

In 2005 we opened TLC East at 2001 S. Douglas, Midwest City. This was an existing garden center we remodeled to fit the TLC concept. There we have about 20,000 sq. ft. of greenhouses which we use for both growing and sales.

TLC grew from a Mom and Pop dream to one of the leading garden centers in the Southwest in only a few years. Beginning with five family members, TLC now has a year round staff of 85-90 with a peak spring staff of approximately 150.

TLC has always placed great emphasis on the experience and training of our personnel. Consistent TLC training, local continuing education courses and an ongoing search for the best people available are trademarks of TLC. With a yearly payroll of about 2 million, this "Growing in Oklahoma" company is a substantial area agri-business.

Every year since 1993 Nursery Retailer Magazine has listed TLC in the Top 100 Garden Centers of the United States. Oklahoma City Gazette readers consistently vote TLC "Best" for lawn and garden supplies. In 1994 TLC won the inaugural Daily Oklahoman Reader’s Choice award for Best Lawn and Garden Store. Every year since then TLC has been a finalist, and in 2001 TLC received the award again. TLC was named Readers Choice florist in 2003 and 2004.

{ In 1995, TLC joined the popular OETA program Oklahoma Gardening as an underwriter. TLC is proud to have the opportunity to help make this popular gardening show available to Oklahoma gardeners.

{ In 1996, TLC established a home page on the internet. TLC was the first nursery in Oklahoma, and one of the first in the United States to go on-line.

{ In spring of 2002 TLC introduced a new television garden show called Let’s Talk Gardening. Watch for it on Channel 9 Saturday mornings during gardening season.