Waterloo Gardens to close, sell original location

Exton, Pa.-- Waterloo Gardens is closing and selling its Devon location and moving all operations to its Exton store.

The garden center, which celebrated its 70^th anniversary in April, announced June 1 that it will be selling the original store and consolidating business at the 50-acre Exton location.

The decision was made following the death of Linda LeBoutillier, who owned and operated the company with her husband Bo for years after purchasing it from her parents in 1972.

“There was added financial pressure after my mother died in October, and I think we’re all aware the economy isn’t good right now, so it’s something that we needed to do,” said longtime President Bobby LeBoutillier.

LeBoutillier said the stores carry nearly identical stock, so customers who frequent the Devon store will still be able to find their favorites at the Exton location.

“I think the Exton store, out of the two, has a much better layout,” he said. “There is more room for cars to park, more coverage space for annuals shopping, and if it’s time to consolidate, out of the two, this is the one we want.”

Waterloo Gardens expects that the Devon location will remain open through the end of the year and possibly into spring of 2013.

The executor has been receiving inquiries about the property since Linda LeBoutillier’s passing in October, LeBoutillier said.

“Devon is a very built-up area and you seldom see property out there,” he said. “It’s very prime property.”