Kiski Garden Center In Allegheny Township Under New Ownership

Feb. 4 - The popular year-round Allegheny Garden Center takes over the property.

Dave Varga, the former owner of the Kisky Garden Center, sold his company to Buffalo resident Pat D'Amico on Friday for $200,000.

That same day, Varga takes down a large banner in front of his former store, and Varga later gives D'Amico a birthday cake to celebrate the occasion.

Varga plans to take part-time jobs at the garden center, which has seven greenhouses and a year-round Christmas shop.

"That's the best level I've ever had," Fargo joked.

D'Amico owns and operates Pat's Perfect Produce mobile fresh produce counter.

He graduated from Freeport High School in 2011 and grows vegetables on his 15-acre farm in Buffalo.

He said the decision to purchase the Kiski Garden Center was in line with his plans to grow the business.

D'Amico plans to put a vintage truck from the 1940s outside to sell fresh produce and build two more greenhouses, bringing the total to nine at the site.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of plants are grown in greenhouses over three hectares, and the cultivation process has already begun.

Store Manager Linda Boone is still full-time at the Garden Center at 991 South Leechburg Hill Road. He has been working there since 1994.

"I feel this is the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one," Ban Ban said. “Customers ask about the future of work every day. Everything will be the same as always.”

D'Amico earned a degree in horticulture from Penn State University and honed her gardening skills with her late grandfather, Bill Sababin of Rural Ridge.

"I'm excited because it was my dream to have my own garden shop," said D'Amico. "I want to have a great time here."

Administrative and marketing duties will be handled by Judy D'Amico, D'Amico's mother and co-owner of her store.

"There are so many things. It was Pat's passion and the perfect treatment for him. He will see his goals and his vision come to fruition," he said. He will be the main decision maker and I will help out where I can."

Customers can guarantee complete conversion.

"Customers can expect things to stay the same," said Pat D'Amico.

D'Amico does not own the building; Rented to Marvin Williams of Apollo.

D'Amico and his mother go to the garden center almost every day to learn the basics of Vargo.

"He gets along very well with people and knows his gardening business," said Fargo.

Mary-Kate and Ashley, the oldest cats in the park, don't seem to mind a change of ownership.

"Pat gives them a lot of attention," Boone said. "They love Pat and he hangs out with them."

Cats that are popular with buyers are included in the terms of sale.

"These cats follow me everywhere," said D'Amico. - You're not going anywhere.

They organized an open day for customers in the spring.

Joyce Hantz is a Tribune-Review contributor. You can contact Joyce at jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter.