IN Sewickley Area Spring 2014 | Page 30

Sewickley Garden Business Thrives Robinson’s Home and Garden preserves store’s long history of family ownership. By Jennifer Brozak When the storefront that sits at 527 Blackburn Road first opened for business circa 1903, the only other businesses in operation along this now well-traveled street were the Sewickley YMCA and the hospital. Today, more than 100 years and multiple owners later, that building is now home to Robinson’s Home and Garden, a charming local business which has managed to not just survive, but thrive, despite the challenges of an unsteady economy as well as competition from “big box” home and garden stores. The store, which is owned by the husband-and-wife team of Kenneth and Joyce Robinson, reflects the building’s long heritage 28 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Sewickley Area of housing a family-owned business. Sons Richard, Bryan and Steve also work at the garden center, along with daughter-in-law Susie. According to the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, the building initially housed a feed and grain store. The earliest records available, which include ledgers starting in 1907, show that the store was owned by W.G. Murray, and then by a J.F. Malone.