Wanted: Person to Carry on 126 Year Family Tradition

WANTED: PERSON TO CARRY ON 126 YEAR FAMILY TRADITION

Bill Hosking, president and owner of Hosking Nursery and Red Barn Gift Shoppe in Watertown, has recently announced his desire to pass his business, knowledge, and robust portfolio to a new owner. He is seeking an energetic, dedicated and visionary individual who wants to own and grow his own landscaping business. He looks forward to working with this individual to transition the business and ensure the continued satisfaction of his loyal customers throughout Connecticut, including Litchfield, Fairfield, Hartford, and New Haven counties, who have come to expect the level of support and service he has provided for over forty years.

Bill’s great grandfather, Samuel, founded the Hosking Nursery 126 years ago in 1891. Initially focused on estate care in and around Watertown, the retail aspect began in the early 1900’s first as a nursery, then subsequently as a garden center and gift shop. A craft shop was introduced in the 1960’s.

Upon graduating from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Landscape Architecture in 1976, Bill joined the family business full time alongside his father James William and his grandmother Sarah, to increase their landscape offerings as well as expand their service area. The retail aspect of the business also expanded to add a greenhouse and then a water garden supply and display center, with a gift shop focusing on garden related gifts and architectural elements.

Throughout Bill’s leadership, vision, and expertise, the Hosking Nursery has become the preeminent water garden design and construction center, both locally and regionally. The business also custom designs drilled stone fountains. Bill’s business has grown because of his commitment to his four key employees who collectively have worked with Bill for 84years and who offer his many customers vast knowledge and experience in retail sales, landscape design and construction, and property maintenance.

From do-it-yourself backyard pond consultations to major estate water features, Bill strives to ensure every customer’s vision is met and their expectations for service are exceeded. Bill’s goal is to transition his business in such a way that the level of service his customers have come to expect is seamlessly maintained. By announcing his retirement plansBill has recognized that there is a significant opportunity at the Hosking Nursery for anyone with the talent, means, and desire to own an established and successful landscape business specializing in waterscape design, construction, and maintenance.