Longview’s ‘New Orleans Gardens’ owner explains plans to close

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - It’s been around for six decades, and if you’ve driven down Judson Road in Longview, you’ve probably seen the New Orleans Gardens, but they’re about to close their greenhouses forever. KLTV takes us for a history lesson that goes back to the beginning of Longview.

Since the last day of 2013, Rob Holloway has owned New Orleans Gardens.

“My dad, he started the business and grew it to what it was today. Actually, it was Bob’s Nursery and Landscape on the corner of Highway 80 and High Street, where the CVS is now, and then he moved here in ‘76,” Holloway said.

Holloway said his grandfather owned Lowell Holloway Furniture in Longview, which is also closing its doors, and acquired a nursery.

“My dad kind of thought it would be a great business opportunity, and so he didn’t take over that one. He started his own business,” Holloway said.

Many people like having a plant next to their recliner to freshen up the room. It gives the impression of being good for you, too.

“Yes. Good for oxygenation,” Holloway said.

His business has done its fair share of oxygenation since they typically had “fifty thousand plants on the property at any one time,” Holloway said.

He said they’re shutting it down because, well, it’s a tough row to hoe, and it’s gotten tougher the last few years.

“One of the ironic things is right now we probably have the most knowledgeable staff we’ve ever had,” Holloway said.

He said he told his employees about three months back he was selling the property, and they are prepared. One employee is even taking the New Orleans Gardens production house and is going to continue producing plants.

Holloway’s great grandfather, who married Lizzie Methvin, started Lowell Holloway Furniture, and Lizzie’s grandfather, O.H. Methvin, well, he started Longview. Although Holloway Furniture and New Orleans Gardens are shutting down, we have presently not heard of any plans to shut down Longview.

Holloway said he will continue doing landscape design with Longhorn Lawn and Sprinkler. He said his brother has New Orleans Gardens Landscaping, and that business is not shutting down.

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