Local news covering the West Laurel and Burtonsville areas
I like to focus on the local aspects of the West Laurel/Burtonsville area, because that is what makes the area interesting and unique. Here’s the story of a longtime local business.
Fehr Family Marks 85 Years of Bringing Color to Area Landscapes
If you drive west on Rte. 198/Sandy Spring Road toward Burtonsville, you might notice Fehr’s Nursery and Garden Center on the right-hand side of the road. Fehr’s is a three-generation, family-operated business in Burtonsville. Walter Fehr was born in Zurich, Switzerland, and was able to realize his American dream in 1939 when he had saved enough money to buy land near what is now the intersection of Routes 29 and 198. There, he established what was one of the first landscape nurseries in the Burtonsville area.
When Walter’s son, Norman, finished college in 1954, he joined his father, together operating what was called “Walter Fehr and Son” for many years. Norman Fehr was a prominent member of the Burtonsville community who lived near the nursery. He ran the company and raised his five children there. Norman took over most of the operation in the early 1970s, and his son, Robert, joined him when he finished college in 1981.
When Walter died in 1983, Norman and Robert continued to run the business together. They moved the business to the old Snyder Farm and began operating from that 44-acre location in the spring of 1989, calling it “Fehr’s Nursey and Garden Center.” Another one of Norman’s sons, Brian, joined the operation in 1994.
Fehr’s now operates with a 5,000-square-foot greenhouse and storage garage. It is still a thriving business that Walter’s grandsons, Robert and Brian, run with two full-time employees and four part-timers. What a delightful bunch of people! When I visited Fehr’s with my family’s plant expert, she noted that their hanging baskets of flowers were the healthiest she had ever seen.
The Fehr family insists that even a few bedding plants can add just the right amount of color and create a better landscaped appearance. The nursery supplies flowers to several local churches, including lilies at Easter and poinsettias for Christmas. Several area landscape contractors also rely on Fehr’s for their products.
Fehr’s Nursery & Garden Center is open 7 days/week from April 1 through December 24, with some periods busier than others. 4340 Sandy Spring Rd, Burtonsville, MD 20866; 301-384-5222.
West Laurel-Sponsored Red Cross Blood Drive
According to the event coordinator, the West Laurel-sponsored Red Cross blood drive on May 14 was a success, with 32 individuals showing up to donate. Nine individuals were first-time donors, which is vital to building up the blood supply. Six units of blood were identified as Black or African American, which is critical because of the inherited blood disorder Sickle Cell Disease. Much more help is needed in this area to ensure that hospitals have as close a match as possible for patients who might need a transfusion due to Sickle Cell Disease. One in three Black or African Americans is a potential donor match for patients with the condition. In all, the blood drive collected 23 pints of whole blood and 4 pints of red blood cells; 27 pints equates to 73 lives saved! Thank you, West Laurel.
Update on Burtonsville Crossing
The rejuvenation of Burtonsville Crossing continues, as more businesses open in the shopping area. Sprouts Farmers Market was the first store to open, and now TJ Maxx is open for business. Ulta has appeared but is not yet open for business. In addition, Chipotle reportedly has signed on as a tenant and will occupy the former KFC/Taco Bell space that closed 14 years ago. Other restaurants expected to open at Burtonsville Crossing are Moby Dick House of Kabob and Eggspectation, although exact dates have not been announced.
Want to get in touch with me? Send me an e-mail at WestLaurelVoices@gmail.com, and please call me Ginny!
Virginia May Geis is a native of Laurel and a graduate of Laurel High School, class of 1975. After a few decades away, she has been a Laurel resident again, since 2018.
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