Milaeger's History
In a little 8' by 12' hobby greenhouse in the backyard of Dan and Joan Milaeger was the seed that grew into the Milaeger's of today. Ten years later, the couple offered their first crop of annuals from a 30' by 90' greenhouse at the newly purchased Douglas Avenue site.
In the 1950s, before the Milaeger business was started, Dan and Joan Milaeger supplemented their income by making winter grave decorations such as evergreen sprays (or blankets) and wreaths, which they placed on graves for their customers who wanted a decoration on the graves of their family members at Christmas. Joan also made corsages that she sold to drug stores, dime stores, and corner bars.
Their creativity, energy and spirit of willingness to do whatever was right for the customer propelled the business into continued expansion. Today the company has over 90 greenhouses that are open to any gardener who seeks the pure enjoyment of viewing a crop of color in its growing environment. Thousands of specialty annuals, bedding plants, vegetables, perennials and pot crops such as poinsettias are carefully nurtured, offering the consumer the widest array of plant material in the Midwest.
Almost Real Trees
Milaeger's first embraced the idea of artificial trees in the 1960s with aluminum trees complete with colorwheels and later the original poly molded trees. Because many Milaeger's customers are avid ornament collectors, special trees were designed by the family to accommodate large ornament collections and to exhibit the ornaments in the best way possible on a lifelike tree. Milaeger's calls them Almost Real Trees.
Milaeger's imports its own exclusively designed prelit Christmas trees from China. In addition, the family is continually sourcing novelty trees, such as wire branch trees, as additional possibilities for ornament display in the home.
Perennials & Nursery
Milaeger's offers nearly every variety of hardy trees, shrubs, evergreens, roses and pond plants suitable for climate conditions of zone 5 and Wisconsin. The brightest and best plant material is selected from the finest nurseries in the US for your gardening pleasure.
Interior Decorating
Our dedication to beautifying lifestyle led to the inclusion of home décor items in their product mix. Accessory furniture, lamps, framed prints, small rugs, nautical items, tabletop and culinary products, candles and potpourri are just a sampling of the many gift and home decorating categories that are currently offered.
Garden Center
Our range of garden-based products has grown over the years to include everything from garden essentials such as fertilizer, soils, and tools to items for accessorizing outdoor living, including wind chimes, fountains, pottery, garden memorials, patio furniture, and a wide array of yard art.
Clothing Department
Milaeger's specializes in casual apparel and footwear for women, offering unique items and favorites such as Artex, French Dressing Jeans, Dansko Shoes, Fabulous Furs and more.
Accessories include Vera Bradley, Brighton, and more. Personal care features The Thymes fragrances and body care.
Artificial Floral Design
Since the corsage era of the '50s, the floral industry has always been of great importance to the Milaeger family. Almost real florals have seen an evolution from plastic flowers to botanically correct replications of nature. Milaeger's has always embraced the finest materials as new innovations emerge. Milaeger's Design Center offers custom floral work for residential and commercial application from arrangements to decorations for a grandiose event or elaborate wedding. Specialties include holiday decorating, both inside and outside.
Christmas Collectibles
This interest in Christmas led to an infatuation with collectible ornaments, artificial Christmas trees , and wonderful holiday figures, including Santas, snowmen, angels, and activities. Today, Milaeger's is recognized as one of the nation's top retailers of glass ornaments from prestigious designers such as Patricia Breen, Old World Christmas, Heartfully Yours, Christopher Radko, and more.
The company says, "Something wonderful is always happening at Milaeger's" and, in addition to its many special events through the year, merchandise at Milaeger's continues to evolve as tastes change and trends emerge. You can be sure that Milaeger's will be here with the right items to enhance your home and garden lifestyle.
Milaeger's wants to thank their loyal customers who, through their support, make it possible for Milaeger's to offer the Best of Everything!