Anton's Greenhouse: a tale of ice and honesty

March 2009 is going out like a lion. All over Chicagoland we are blanketed by a sheet of snow.

Last Sunday, however, the temperatures soared to 58 F, causing some eager gardeners, myself included, to run to the nearest greenhouse. I checked out Anton's, which is in a secluded neighborhood location off Pitner Avenue in Evanston, Illinois. One wonders how it could have survived over 50 years as it is definitely well off the beaten path. Anxious to begin planting a vegetable garden, I spoke to the owner, asking him if I couldn't lay in some cool-weather crops, lettuce, chard, spinach, sugar snap peas. Rather than "clinch a sale," he shook his head, speaking reason and weather.

"You know, I wouldn't mind selling you some cool weather crops, but there's a freeze comin' in next weekend."

I looked incredulous, "What?" I questioned.

"Uh, huh, they're saying up to 4-inches of snow in some places, and temperatures in the mid 20's. Now, these crops can stand some cool weather -- but not a freeze. I know you're wanting to start planting -- but I hate to sell you something that's just going to die on you -- and then you'd have to come back again and start all over."

The owner's wife stepped into the greenhouse, and I spoke to her. "Well, I came in to buy some
veggies and get started planting, but I'm having to twist your husband's arm to sell me something. I can't believe they're talkin' snow again!"

"Well, " the owner said, " If you really want to get going, I can sell you some of these onion sets. You could get them in the ground and in five weeks, you'll be eating delicious onions. I just love the taste of them. And, ya gotta remember..." he added a final warning, " It is still the end of March, and this is Chicago.

Okay, I thought. Onion sets it would be. At least I wouldn't go home empty handed -- I'm a newbie regarding gardening, next to this third generation professional. Even though it was a balmy nearly-sixty-degree day, I'd take his advice.

But as I left carrying a one pound sack of onion bulbs, I thought to myself,
"You know, he could have sold me a lot of veggie packs without saying a word about snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. I wouldn't have known the difference.

Not until this Sunday, when I would awaken to a blanket of snow, mouring the loss of plant life in my backyard..... but still, I would have gone back. He could have made a double profit on me, but then.... that would have been less than honest."

I thought of AIG, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch.... and all that has been bought -- sold --- speculated upon in recent days.... much underhanded finagling, grasping, and hoarding....

and then here is Anton's... a small greenhouse in Central Evanston -- a father and son hand-me-down business -- where the values of honesty and service stand side by side with
profit-making.

If there is greatness in the human soul, it's not to be found in the mega-corporate model, "The take all you can get while the getting is good." No, I'd put my money -- even when its not wanted -- on the Anton's of this world, who won't make a profit if it's at another's expense.