The Founders Story (Auke & Sarah Valk)

   Auke & Sarah Valk came to the United States in 1950 after their motherland, Holland, had been ravished by the German armies during World War II. C. P. Edwards selected Auke and Sarah, along with two other Dutch families, to share in his dream for success.

The first four years were very trying; but, after hard work and dedication to family, honesty, and church, the Valk's constructed a small retail garden center called Ridgefields Garden Center in downtown Kingsport, as well as greenhouses in Ridgefields. Another store was built in the early 60's in Johnson City, but when Mr. Edward's empire began to fade in the mid-60's, the second location was abandoned. In 1966, because of the Valk's hard work, Mr. Edwards sold the company to them, and Evergreen Garden Center was founded.

In the summer of 1967, the Valk family constructed their new location on Industry Drive near Chuck's Drive-In in Kingsport, Tennessee. Tremendous retail growth followed, and in 1973, construction started on the present Kingsport location on Riverport Road In October 1975, Evergreen opened the doors of what is now the current Kingsport Evergreen location Aggressive purchasing included greenhouse plants, shrubs and trees, foliage plants, hardgood lines, and a complete landscape service. Again, Evergreen experienced phenomenal sales and internal growth. By this time, Auke, Sarah, and their four sons were involved in the day-to-day operations.

In the summer of 1983, Evergreen purchased land in Johnson City and another creative location was opened. Today the two younger of the four sons, Tony and Michael, operate the Johnson City facility as a separate company - Evergreen of Johnson City.

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