Dickman Farms Greenhouses & Garden Center in Auburn is the textbook definition of a homegrown business.
Founded as a small commercial farm in 1903, the fifth-generation family-owned business now operates as a wholesaler, growing young plants in greenhouses to sell to growers across the country.
The farm's first greenhouse was built in 1929 as a mini golf course. When prohibition ended, the greenhouse became Club Dickman, operating as a big band nightclub from 1933 through 1962. "My great grandfather and great uncle started a nightclub here, and it was 'Come dance underneath the stars at Club Dickman!'" said owner Bob Dickman.
Over the years, the conversion to "indoor farming" took place gradually until the mid-eighties. During the shift to indoor growing, the nightclub was torn down so the greenhouse could be used to produce tomatoes using drop irrigation.
Read more at cnycentral.com